The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:10–14)
1 UEB Now all the tax collectors and other sinners were coming to Jesus to listen to him. BSB BSB: Now all the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around to listen to Jesus.
2 UEB Both the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled to each other, saying, "This man welcomes sinners, and even eats with them." BSB BSB: So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 UEB Jesus spoke this parable to them, saying, BSB BSB: Then Jesus told them this parable:
4 UEB "Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and then loses one of them, will not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the lost one until he finds it? BSB BSB: “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?
5 UEB Then when he has found it, he lays it across his shoulders and rejoices. BSB BSB: And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders,
6 UEB When he comes to the house, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.' BSB BSB: comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’
7 UEB I say to you that even so, there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. BSB BSB: I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
The Parable of the Lost Coin 8 UEB Or what woman who has ten silver coins, if she were to lose one coin, would not light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she has found it? BSB BSB: Or what woman who has ten silver coins and loses one of them does not light a lamp, sweep her house, and search carefully until she finds it?
9 UEB When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I lost.' BSB BSB: And when she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors to say, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost coin.’
10 UEB Even so, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." BSB BSB: In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Deuteronomy 21:18–21)
12 UEB and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of the wealth that falls to me.' So he divided his property between them. BSB BSB: The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 UEB Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he owned and went to a country far away, and there he wasted all his wealth by living recklessly. BSB BSB: After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living.
14 UEB Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine spread through that country, and he began to be in need. BSB BSB: After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need.
15 UEB He went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. BSB BSB: So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.
16 UEB He would gladly have eaten the carob pods that the pigs ate, because no one gave him anything. BSB BSB: He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing.
17 UEB But when the young son came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough food, and I am here, dying from hunger! BSB BSB: Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food, but here I am, starving to death!
18 UEB I will leave here and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. BSB BSB: I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
19 UEB I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired servants."' BSB BSB: I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’
20 UEB So the young son left and came toward his father. While he was still far away, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and he ran and embraced him and kissed him. BSB BSB: So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
21 UEB The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' BSB BSB: The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 UEB The father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet. BSB BSB: But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23 UEB Then bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us celebrate with a feast! BSB BSB: Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate.
24 UEB For my son was dead, and now he is alive. He was lost, and now he is found.' Then they began to celebrate. BSB BSB: For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.
25 UEB Now his older son was out in the field. As he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. BSB BSB: Meanwhile the older son was in the field, and as he approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 UEB He called to one of the servants and asked what these things might be. BSB BSB: So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on.
27 UEB The servant said to him, 'Your brother has come home and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has returned safely.' BSB BSB: ‘Your brother has returned,’ he said, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 UEB The older son was angry and would not go in, and his father came out and begged him. BSB BSB: The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.
29 UEB But the older son answered and said to his father, 'Look, these many years I slaved for you, and I never broke a rule of yours, and yet you never gave me a young goat that I might celebrate with my friends, BSB BSB: But he answered his father, ‘Look, all these years I have served you and never disobeyed a commandment of yours. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
30 UEB but when your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed for him the fattened calf.' BSB BSB: But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 UEB The father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. BSB BSB: ‘Son, you are always with me,’ the father said, ‘and all that is mine is yours.
32 UEB But it was proper for us to feast and be happy, for this brother of yours was dead, and is now alive; he was lost, and has now been found.'" BSB BSB: But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”