The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:10–14)
1 WBS Then drew near to him all the publicans and sinners to hear him. BSB BSB: Now all the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around to listen to Jesus.
2 WBS And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. BSB BSB: So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 WBS And he spoke this parable to them, saying, BSB BSB: Then Jesus told them this parable:
4 WBS What man of you having a hundred sheep, if he loseth one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he findeth 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 WBS And when he hath found it , he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. BSB BSB: And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders,
6 WBS And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 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 WBS I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance. 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 WBS Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she loseth one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she findeth 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 WBS And when she hath found it , she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had 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 WBS Likewise, I say to you, There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. 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 WBS And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me . And he divided to them his living. BSB BSB: The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 WBS 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. 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 WBS And when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land; and he began to be in want. BSB BSB: After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need.
15 WBS And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 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 WBS And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave to him. BSB BSB: He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing.
17 WBS And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have bread enough and to spare, and I am perishing with 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 WBS I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 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 WBS And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. BSB BSB: I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’
20 WBS 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. 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 WBS And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy 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 WBS 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: 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 WBS And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it ; and let us eat, and be merry: BSB BSB: Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate.
24 WBS For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 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 WBS Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to 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 WBS And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. BSB BSB: So he called one of the servants and asked what was going on.
27 WBS And he said to him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him in health. 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 WBS And he was angry, and would not go in; therefore his father came out, and entreated him. BSB BSB: The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.
29 WBS And he answering, said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither have I at any time transgressed thy commandment; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry 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 WBS But as soon as this thy son had come, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. BSB BSB: But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 WBS And he said to him, Son, thou art ever with me: and all that I have is thine. BSB BSB: ‘Son, you are always with me,’ the father said, ‘and all that is mine is yours.
32 WBS 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. 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.’”