(Luke xv, 11-32.) And he said: A certain man had two sons; 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. And not many days after, the younger son, gathering all together, went abroad into a far country, and there wasted his substance, living riotously. And after he had spent all, there came a mighty famine in that country, and he began to be in want. And he went and clung to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his farm to feed swine. And he longed to fill his belly with the husks which the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him. And returning to himself, he said:
How many hired servants in my father's house abound with bread, while I here perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee; and I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And rising up, he came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion; and running up, he fell upon his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee; I am no longer worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants: Quick, bring forth the first robe and clothe him; and put a ring upon his hand, and shoes on his feet;
and bring hither the fatted calf and kill it; and let us eat and make merry: for this my son was dead, and is come to life again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing; and he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him: Thy brother is come, and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe. But he was angry, and would not go in. His father therefore came out and began to entreat him. But he answering said to his father: Behold, these many years do I serve thee, and I have never transgressed thy commandment; and yet thou hast never given me a kid that I might make merry with my friends.
But as soon as this thy son, who hath devoured his substance with harlots, is come, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. But he said to him: Son, thou art always with me, and all that is mine is thine. But it was meet to make merry and be glad, for this thy brother was dead, and is come to life again; he was lost, and is found.