THE NINETY AND NINE.

Now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to hear him.  And both the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”

And he spake unto them this parable, saying, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?  And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and his neighbors, saying unto them, ’Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.’  I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.

THE LOST COIN.

“Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it?  And when she hath found it, she calleth together her friends and neighbors, saying, ’Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost.’  Even so, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

THE PRODIGAL SON.

And he said, “A certain man had two sons:  and the younger of them said to his father, ’Father, give me the portion of thy substance that falleth to me.’  And he divided unto them his living.  And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living.  And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.  And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.  And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat:  and no man gave unto him.  But when he came to himself he said, ’How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger!  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight:  I am no more worthy to be called thy son:  make me as one of thy hired servants.’  And he arose, and came to his father.  But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.  And the son said unto him, ’Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight:  I am no more worthy to be called thy son.’  But the father said to his servants, ’Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:  and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry: