## The Parable of the Lost Sheep 

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Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. 

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And both the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." 

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So He told them this parable, saying, 

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"What man among you, if he has one hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 

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And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 

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And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' 

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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 persons who need no repentance. 

## The Parable of the Lost Drachma 

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"Or what woman, if she has ten drachmas and loses one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 

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And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost!' 

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In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." 

## The Parable of the Prodigal Son 

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And He said, **"A man had two sons.** 

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And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls _to me_.' So he divided his wealth between them. 

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And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate living recklessly. 

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Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. 

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So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 

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And he was desiring to be fed with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving _anything_ to him. 

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But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 

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I will rise up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you. 

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I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men."' 

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So he rose up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 

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And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 

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But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet, 

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and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let us eat and celebrate, 

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for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate. 

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"Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 

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And summoning one of the servants, he _began_ inquiring what these things could be. 

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And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.' 

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But he became angry and was not wanting to go in, and his father came out and _began_ pleading with him. 

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But he answered and said to his father, 'Look! For so many years I have been serving you and never have I neglected a command of yours. And _yet_ never have you given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends. 

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But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.' 

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And he said to him, 'Child, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 

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But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive, and _was_ lost and has been found.'"