18. I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.
19. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] make me like one of your hired servants.
20. So he got up and came to his [own] father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness [for him]; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him [fervently].
21. And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son [I no longer deserve to be recognized as a son of yours]!
22. But the father said to his bond servants, Bring quickly the best robe (the festive robe of honor) and put it on him; and give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet. [Gen. 41:42; Zech. 3:4.]
23. And bring out that [wheat-]fattened calf and kill it; and let us revel and feast and be happy and make merry,
24. Because this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to revel and feast and make merry.
25. But his older son was in the field; and as he returned and came near the house, he heard music and dancing.
26. And having called one of the servant [boys] to him, he began to ask what this meant.
27. And he said to him, Your brother has come, and your father has killed that [wheat-]fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and well.
28. But [the elder brother] was angry [with deep-seated wrath] and resolved not to go in. Then his father came out and began to plead with him,
29. But he answered his father, Look! These many years I have served you, and I have never disobeyed your command. Yet you never gave me [so much as] a [little] kid, that I might revel and feast and be happy and make merry with my friends;
30. But when this son of yours arrived, who has devoured your estate with immoral women, you have killed for him that [wheat-] fattened calf!
31. And the father said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.