He Ran to His Son

11Then he said, “A certain man had two sons.”

12And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his livelihood between them.

13And after not many days, the younger son gathered everything together and went away to a distant country, and there he squandered his property, living recklessly.

14But after he had spent everything, a severe famine came upon that country, and he began to be in need.

15So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

16And he longed to fill his stomach with the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him anything.

17But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough bread, but here I am perishing from hunger!’

18I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,’

19I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.

20And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still far away, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him fervently.

21But the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.’

23And bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let us eat and celebrate,

24because this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found. And they began to celebrate.