425 : The Prodigal Son
AND Jesus said: "A certain man had two sons.
The younger of them said to his father,'Father, give me the portion of goods that I will inherit.
' So he divided his property between them.
And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took a journey into a far country,
and there wasted his wealth in riotous living.
And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land, and he began to be in want.
So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country,who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
He was ready to fill himself with the husks the pigs ate, for no man gave him anything.
When he came to himself, he said,
'How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, while I am perishing with hunger.
I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.
I am not worthy any more to be called your son. Make me one of your hired servants.'
"He rose up and went to his father. But when he was still a long way off,
his father saw him, and had pity; and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
The son said to him: 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your eyes,
and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
"But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe, and put it on him.
And put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
And bring out the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and be merry.
For this son of mine was dead, and is alive again. He was lost and is found.'
"And they began to be merry."Now his elder son was in the field.
And as he came and drew near the house, he heard music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. He said to him,
'Your brother has come home.
And your father has killed the fatted calf because he has him back, safe and sound.'
"He was angry, and would not go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.
He answered his father, saying, 'Lo, these many years I have served you,
never at any time disobeying any of your commandments.
And yet you never gave me a kid, so that I might make merry with my friends.
But as soon as this other son of yours came, who has eaten up your wealth in riotous living,
you killed the fatted calf for him.' "And the father said to him,
'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.
It is fitting that we should make merry, and be glad;
for this your brother was dead, and is alive again; was lost, and is found.'
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