Luke 15

Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

1Tax collectors and other people known for doing wrong came close to Jesus. They wanted to hear him.

2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

2The Pharisees and the scribes grumbled about it. These men studied and taught God's law. They said, "This man welcomes bad people. He even eats with them."

3And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

3So Jesus told them this story.

4What 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?

4Jesus said, "Suppose you have a hundred sheep, and one gets lost. Wouldn't you leave the other ninety-nine out in the open field? Wouldn't you go look for the lost one until you found it?

5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

5When he finds it, he is happy. He lifts it onto his shoulders and carries it.

6And 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.

6He comes home and calls his friends and neighbors together. He says, "Be happy with me! I found my lost sheep."

7I 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.

7I tell you, it is the same in heaven. There is more joy over one wrongdoer who turns back to God than over ninety-nine good people who do not need to turn back.

8Either 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?

8"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins, and she loses one. Wouldn't she light a lamp and sweep the house? Wouldn't she look and look until she found it?

NoteEach silver coin was worth about a full day's pay, so losing one mattered a lot.

9And 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.

9When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together. She says, "Be happy with me! I found the coin I lost."

10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

10I tell you, it is the same with God's angels. They are full of joy over one wrongdoer who turns back to God."

11And he said, A certain man had two sons:

11Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons.

12And 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.

12The younger son said, "Father, give me my share of the family property now." So the father split his property between his two sons.

13And 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.

13A few days later, the younger son packed up everything he had. He traveled far away to another country. There he threw his money away on wild living.

14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

14After he had spent it all, that country ran out of food. People went hungry, and so did he.

15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

15So he went to work for a man who lived there. That man sent him out to his fields to feed pigs.

16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

16He was so hungry that he wanted to eat the pig food. But no one gave him anything.

NoteThe pigs ate hard bean pods from a carob tree. That is the food he wanted so badly.

17And 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!

17At last he began to think clearly. He said, "My father's workers have all the food they need. And I am here starving!

18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

18I will get up and go back to my father. I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against God and against you.

19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

19I am not good enough to be called your son anymore. Just let me work for you like your hired workers."

20And 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.

20So he got up and went to his father. His father saw him coming while he was still far away. His father felt sorry for him and ran to him. He hugged him and kissed him.

21And 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.

21The son said, "Father, I have sinned against God and against you. I am not good enough to be called your son anymore."

22But 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:

22But the father said to his servants, "Hurry! Bring the best coat and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

23Bring the calf we have been feeding, and cook it. Let's have a feast and be happy.

24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

24My son was dead, and now he is alive again. He was lost, and now he is found." So the party began.

25Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

25The older son was out working in the field. As he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.

26And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

26So he called one of the servants over. He asked what was going on.

27And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

27The servant said, "Your brother is home. Your father cooked the calf we were feeding, because your brother came back safe."

28And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

28The older brother got angry and would not go inside. So his father came out and begged him to come in.

29And 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:

29He said to his father, "Look, I have worked for you all these years. I always did what you told me. But you never even gave me a young goat for a party with my friends.

30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

30But this son of yours came home. He wasted your money on women who sell their bodies. And you cooked the special calf for him!"

31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

31The father said, "Son, you are always here with me. Everything I have is yours.

32It 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.

32But it was right for us to have a party and be glad. Your brother was dead, and now he is alive. He was lost, and now he is found.""

NoteThe old word "meet" here does not mean to meet someone. It means right or fitting.