Luke

All the tax collectors and sinners came close to Isa and listened to him.

But the Pharisees and fuqaha grumbled, "He receives sinners and eats with them!"

Isa told them this story:

"Suppose one of you has one hundred sheep, and one sheep is lost. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness to look for the lost sheep until he finds it?

When he finds it, he will carry it on his shoulders.

He will bring it back to the house and gather his friends and neighbors. He will say to them: "Rejoice with me. I found my lost sheep!

I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven when someone repents after going astray than from ninety-nine righteous people who do not need repentance.

If a woman loses one of her ten dinars, will she not light a lamp and sweep the house and look for it eagerly until she finds it?

When she does find it, she will gather her friends and neighbors and tell them: Rejoice with me, because I found the lost dinar!

So I tell you that there will be joy in the presence of the angels when one person repents from going astray."

Then Isa said: "A man had two sons.

The younger son said to his father: Father, give me my share of the inheritance now. So the father divided all his possessions between them.

In a few days, the younger son gathered all his inheritance and traveled to a far country. There he wasted his money in expensive living.

After he had spent all his money, that country had a severe famine, so he was needy.

So he went and attached himself to a man of that country. The man sent him into his fields to be a pig herder.

He was so hungry that he wished he could fill his stomach with the carob that the pigs were eating. No one gave him anything.

Then he came to his senses and said: My father has many workers who have more than enough food. I am dying here from hunger!

I will get up and return to my father. I will tell him: 'Father, I have sinned against Allah and against you.

I am not worthy to be called your son. Hire me as one of your workers.'

So he got up and returned to his father. His father saw him coming from far away and had compassion on him. He ran to his son and hugged him and kissed him.

His son told him: 'Father, I have sinned against Allah and against you. I am not worthy to be called your son any more.'

But the father commanded his slaves: 'Go quickly and bring the most elegant robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet!

Bring the feed calf and slaughter it so we can eat and celebrate.

This son of mine was dead and he lives. He was lost and is found!' They started celebrating.

The older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard singing and dancing.

He called one of the servants and asked him what was happening.

He told him: 'Your brother came and your father slaughtered the feed calf because he returned safely.'

He became angry and did not want to enter. So his father went out and begged him.

But he answered his father: 'Listen! Like a slave I have served you for a long time. I did not disobey one of your orders. But you did not give me even a young goat to celebrate with my friends.

But this son of yours wasted his possessions with prostitutes. Then he came and you slaughtered the feed calf!'

He said, 'Son, you are with me always. All I have is yours.

But we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and is alive. He went astray and is found.'"