15:1 Now the tax collectors and 'sinners' were all gathering around to hear him.
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 1 , Now the tax collectors and 'sinners' were all gathering around to hear him.
15:2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.'
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 2 , But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.'
15:3 Then Jesus told them this parable:
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 3 , Then Jesus told them this parable:
15:4 'Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 4 , 'Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?
15:5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 5 , And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders
15:6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 6 , and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'
15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 7 , I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
15:8 'Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 8 , 'Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?
15:9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.'
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 9 , And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.'
15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.'
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 10 , In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.'
15:11 Jesus continued: 'There was a man who had two sons.
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 11 , Jesus continued: 'There was a man who had two sons.
15:12 The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 12 , The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
15:13 'Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 13 , 'Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
15:14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 14 , After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
15:15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 15 , So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
15:16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 16 , He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
15:17 'When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 17 , 'When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!
15:18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 18 , I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 19 , I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'
15:20 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.
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 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.
15:21 'The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 21 , 'The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
15:22 'But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 22 , 'But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
15:23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate.
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 23 , Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate.
15:24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 24 , For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
15:25 'Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 25 , 'Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.
15:26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 26 , So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.
15:27 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 27 , 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
15:28 'The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 28 , 'The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.
15:29 But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 29 , But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
15:30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 30 , But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
15:31 ''My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 31 , ''My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
15:32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.''
The NIV Book of Luke , Chapter 15 , Verse 32 , But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.''
