The Parable of the Lost Son

There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, "Father, give me my share of the estate." So he divided his property between them.

Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.  After he had spent everything there was severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.  So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to the fields to feed pigs.  He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

When he came to his senses, he said, "How many pf my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Make me like one of you hired men."  So, he got up and went to his father.

The son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy of being called your son."

But the father said to his servants, "Quick, bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it.  Let's have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and now is found." So they began to celebrate.

Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing.  So he called one of his servants and asked what is going on.  "Your brother has come" He replied, "and your father  has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound."

The older brother got angry and refused to go in.  So his father came out and pleaded with him.  But he answered his father, "Look! All these years I have been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders.  Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.  But when that son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him."

"My son," the father said, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.  But we have to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and now he is found."

~Luke 15:11-31