Luke 15 — Read & Listen Online | Father's Heart Bible™

The Father Pursues the One Lost Sheep

Chapter 15.

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. ^a And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

So he told them this parable: "What man among you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?" "And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing." "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.'" "I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."

The Father Searches for the Lost Coin

"Or what woman, having ten silver coins—each worth a full day's wages—if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?" "And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.'" "In the same way, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of our Father over one sinner who repents."

The Father Runs to Welcome His Son Home

And he said, "There was a man who had two sons." "And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' So he divided his wealth between them." "Not many days later, the younger son gathered everything he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living." "And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose throughout that country, and he began to be in need." "So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs." "And he longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything." "But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but here I am dying of hunger!'" "'I will rise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you."'" "'I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.'"

"And he rose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and his heart broke open with compassion, and he ran and threw his arms around him and kissed him." ^b "And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'"

"But the father said to his servants, 'Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.'" "'And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.'" "'For this son of mine was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate."

"Now his older son was out in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing." "And he called one of the servants and asked what was going on." "And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.'" "But he was angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him, but he answered his father, 'Look, all these years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me even a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends.'" "'But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!'"

"And he said to him, 'My son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.'" "'It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this brother of yours was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

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