²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.^(A)

²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.^(B) I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe^(C) and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger^(D) and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again;^(E) he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.^(F)

² You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone.^{(A) 3} You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God,^(B) not on tablets of stone^(C) but on tablets of human hearts.^(D)

⁸ Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied^(A) the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.