Jesus tells three stories of lost things found: a sheep, a coin and a son. The prodigal son comes home to his father's welcome, while the older brother stands outside.
1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him .
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured , saying , This man receiveth sinners , and eateth with them .
3 And he spake this parable unto them , saying ,
4 What man of you , having an hundred sheep , if he lose one of them , doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness , and go after that which is lost , until he find it ?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders , rejoicing .
6 And when he cometh home , he calleth together his friends and neighbours , saying unto them , Rejoice with me ; for I have found my sheep which was lost .
7 I say unto you , that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth , more than over ninety and nine just persons , which need no repentance .
8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver , if she lose one piece , doth not light a candle , and sweep the house , and seek diligently till she find it?
9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together , saying , Rejoice with me ; for I have found the piece which I had lost .
10 Likewise , I say unto you , there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth .
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 goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living .
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together , and took his journey into a far country , and there wasted his substance with riotous living .
14 And when he had spent all , there arose a mighty famine in that land ; and he began to be in want .
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country ; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine .
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat : and no man gave unto him .
17 And when he came to himself , he said , How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare , and I perish with hunger !
18 I will arise and go to my father , and will say unto him , Father , I have sinned against heaven , and before thee ,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son : make me as one of thy hired servants .
20 And he arose , and came to his father . But when he was yet a great way off , his father saw him , and had compassion , and ran , and fell on his neck , and kissed him .
21 And the son said unto him , Father , I have sinned against heaven , and in thy sight , and am no more worthy to be called thy son .
22 But the father said to his servants , Bring forth the best robe , and put it on him ; and put a ring on his hand , and shoes on his feet :
23 And bring hither the fatted calf , and kill it; and let us eat , and be merry :
24 For this my son was dead , and is alive again ; he was lost , and is found . And they began to be merry .
25 Now his elder son was in the field : and as he came and drew nigh to the house , he heard musick and dancing .
26 And he called one of the servants , and asked what these things meant .
27 And he said unto him , Thy brother is come ; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf , because he hath received him safe and sound .
28 And he was angry , and would not go in : therefore came his father out , and intreated him .
29 And he answering said to his father , Lo , these many years do I serve thee , neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment : and yet thou never gavest me a kid , that I might make merry with my friends :
30 But as soon as this thy son was come , which hath devoured thy living with harlots , thou hast killed for him the fatted calf .
31 And he said unto him , Son , thou art ever with me , and all that I have is thine .
32 It was meet that we should make merry , and be glad : for this thy brother was dead , and is alive again ; and was lost , and is found .