1. NOW the publicans and sinners drew near unto him to hear him.
2. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying: This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3. And he spoke to them this parable, saying:
4. What man of you that hath an hundred sheep: and if he shall lose one of them, doth he not leave the ninety-nine in the desert, and go after that which was lost, until he find it?
5. And when he hath found it, lay it upon his shoulders, rejoicing:
6. And coming home, call together his friends and neighbours, saying to them: Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost?
7. I say to you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven upon one sinner that doth penance, more than upon ninety-nine just who need not penance.
8. Or what woman having ten groats; if she lose one groat, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it?
9. And when she hath found it, call together her friends and neighbours, saying: Rejoice with me, because I have found the groat which I had lost.
10. So I say to you, there shall be joy before the angels of God upon one sinner doing penance.
11. And he said: A certain man had two sons:
12. And the younger of them said to his father: Father, give me the portion of substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his substance.
13. And not many days after, the younger son, gathering all together, went abroad into a far country: and there wasted his substance, living riotously.
14. And after he had spent all, there came a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.
15. And he went and cleaved to one of the citizens of that country. And he sent him into his farm to feed swine.