1 Aproximavam-se de Jesus todos os publicanos e pecadores para o ouvir.

2 Os fariseus e os escribas murmuravam: Este recebe pecadores e come com eles.

3 Jesus propôs-lhes esta parábola:

4 Qual de vós é o homem que, possuindo cem ovelhas e tendo perdido uma delas, não deixa as noventa e nove no deserto, e não vai em busca da que se havia perdido até achá-la?

5 Quando a tiver achado, põe-na cheio de júbilo sobre os seus ombros;

6 e chegando à casa, reúne os seus amigos e vizinhos e diz-lhes: Regozijai-vos comigo, porque achei a minha ovelha que se havia perdido.

7 Digo-vos que assim haverá maior júbilo no céu por um pecador que se arrepende, do que por noventa e nove justos, que não necessitam de arrependimento.

8 Ou qual é a mulher que, tenho dez dracmas e perdendo uma, não acende a candeia, não varre a casa e não a procura diligentemente até achá-la?

9 Quando a tiver achado, reúne as suas amigas e vizinhas, dizendo: Regozijai-vos comigo, porque achei a dracma que eu tinha perdido.

10 Assim, digo-vos, há júbilo na presença dos anjos de Deus por um pecador que se arrepende.

11 Continuou: Um homem tinha dois filhos.

12 Disse o mais moço a seu pai: Meu pai, dá-me a parte dos bens que me toca. Ele repartiu os seus haveres entre ambos.

13 Poucos dias depois o filho mais moço, ajuntando tudo o que era seu, partiu para um país longínquo, e lá dissipou todos os seus bens, vivendo dissolutamente.

14 Depois de ter consumido tudo, sobreveio àquele país uma grande fome, e ele começou a passar necessidades.

15 Foi encostar-se a um dos cidadãos daquele país, e este o mandou para os seus campos guardar porcos.

16 Ali desejava ele fartar-se das alfarrobas que os porcos comiam, mas ninguém lhas dava.

17 Caindo, porém, em si, disse: Quantos jornaleiros de meu pai têm pão com fartura, e eu aqui estou morrendo de fome!

18 Levantar-me-ei, irei a meu pai e dir-lhe-ei: Pai, pequei contra o céu e diante de ti:

19 já não sou digno de ser chamado teu filho; trata-me como um dos teus jornaleiros.

20 Levantando-se, foi para seu pai. Estando ele ainda longe, seu pai viu-o e teve compaixão dele e, correndo, o abraçou e beijou.

21 Disse-lhe o filho: Pai, pequei contra o céu e diante de ti; já não sou digno de ser chamado teu filho.

22 O pai, porém, disse aos seus servos: Trazei-me depressa a melhor roupa e vesti-lha, e ponde-lhe um anel no dedo e sandálias nos pés;

23 trazei também o novilho cevado, matai-o, comamos e regozijemo-nos,

24 porque este meu filho era morto e reviveu, estava perdido e se achou. E começaram a regozijar-se.

25 Seu filho mais velho estava no campo; quando voltou e foi chegando à casa, ouviu a música e a dança:

26 e chamando um dos criados, perguntou-lhe que era aquilo.

27 Este lhe respondeu: Chegou teu irmão, e teu pai mandou matar o novilho cevado, porque o recuperou com saúde.

28 Ele se indignou, e não queria entrar; e saindo seu pai, procurava conciliá-lo.

29 Mas ele respondeu a seu pai: Há tantos anos que te sirvo, sem jamais transgredir uma ordem tua, e nunca me deste um cabrito para eu me regozijar com os meus amigos;

30 mas quando veio este teu filho, que gastou os teus bens com meretrizes, tu mandaste matar para ele o novilho cevado.

31 Replicou-lhe o pai: Filho, tu sempre estás comigo, e tudo o que é meu é teu;

32 entretanto cumpria regozijarmo-nos e alegrarmo-nos, porque este teu irmão era morto e reviveu, estava perdido e se achou.

1 Now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to hear him. 2 And both the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

3 And he spake unto them this parable, saying, 4 What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost 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 his neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.

8 Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Even so, 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 thy substance 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 he wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens 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 But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: 19 I 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 while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with 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: I am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make 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 music and dancing. 26 And he called to him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be. 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 But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him. 29 But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 but when this thy son came, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou killedst for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is mine is thine. 32 But it was meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.