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Chapter 15
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1
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Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners
for to hear him. |
2
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And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This
man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. |
3
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And he spake this parable unto them, saying, |
4
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What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose
one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the
wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he
find it? |
5
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And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders,
rejoicing. |
6
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And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends
and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for
I have found my sheep which was lost. |
7
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I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven
over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety
and nine just persons, which need no repentance. |
8
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Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she
lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the
house, and seek diligently till she find it? |
9
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And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends
and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me;
for I have found the piece which I had lost. |
10
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Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence
of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. |
11
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And he said, A certain man had two sons: |
12
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And the younger of them said to his father, Father,
give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And
he divided unto them his living. |
13
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And not many days after the younger son gathered all
together, and took his journey into a far country, and
there wasted his substance with riotous living. |
14
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And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine
in that land; and he began to be in want. |
15
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And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that
country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. |
16
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And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks
that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. |
17
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And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired
servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare,
and I perish with hunger! |
18
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I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto
him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before
thee, |
19
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And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me
as one of thy hired servants. |
20
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And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was
yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion,
and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. |
21
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And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against
heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be
called thy son. |
22
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But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the
best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand,
and shoes on his feet: |
23
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And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and
let us eat, and be merry: |
24
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For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was
lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. |
25
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Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came
and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. |
26
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And he called one of the servants, and asked what these
things meant. |
27
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And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy
father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received
him safe and sound. |
28
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And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came
his father out, and intreated him. |
29
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And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many
years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any
time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a
kid, that I might make merry with my friends: |
30
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But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured
thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the
fatted calf. |
31
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And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and
all that I have is thine. |
32
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It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad:
for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and
was lost, and is found. |
