ZNIV Luke 15:11-32 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. :12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property 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 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. :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 men 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 against heaven and against you. :19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ :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.
: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.
:22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger (signet ring) and sandals on his feet. :23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s celebrate. :24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
:25 Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. :26 So he called to one of the servants and asked him what was going on. :27 ‘your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
:28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. :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. :30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
:31 ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. :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.”
