The Parable of the Prodigal Son

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me (A)the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided (B)his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in (C)reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to[a] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he (D)was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But (E)when he (F)came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, (G)I have sinned against (H)heaven and before you. 19 (I)I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and (J)ran and (K)embraced him and (L)kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. (M)I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[b] 22 But the father said to his servants,[c] ‘Bring quickly (N)the best robe, and put it on him, and put (O)a ring on his hand, and (P)shoes on his feet. 23 And bring (Q)the fattened calf and kill it, and (R)let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son (S)was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Luke 15:15 Greek joined himself to
  2. Luke 15:21 Some manuscripts add treat me as one of your hired servants
  3. Luke 15:22 Or bondservants

The Parable of the Lost Son

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.(A) 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’(B) So he divided his property(C) between them.

13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth(D) in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.(E) 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned(F) against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 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.(G)

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

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe(I) and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger(J) 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;(K) he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.(L)

Read full chapter