The prodigal son
11Jesus continued: 
—There was a man with two sons. 12The younger said to his father: ‘Give me my share of the estate.’ So the father divided his property between them.
13—Some days later, the younger son gathered all his belongings and started off for a distant land where he squandered his wealth in loose living. 14Having spent everything, he was hard pressed when a severe famine broke out in that land. 15So he hired himself out to a well-to-do citizen of that place and was sent to work on a pig farm. 16So famished was he that he longed to fill his stomach even with the food given to the pigs, but no one offered him anything.
17—Finally coming to his senses, he said: ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will get up and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against God and before you. 19I no longer deserve to be called your son. Treat me then as one of your hired servants.’ With that thought in mind he set off for his father’s house.
20—He was still a long way off when his father caught sight of him. His father was so deeply moved with compassion that he ran out to meet him, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. 21The son said: ‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
22—But the father turned to his servants: ‘Quick! Bring out the finest robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Take the fattened calf and kill it. We shall celebrate and have a feast, 24for this son of mine was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and is found.’ And the celebration began.
25—Meanwhile, the elder son had been working in the fields. As he returned and was near the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. 26He called one of the servants and asked what it was all about. 27The servant answered: ‘Your brother has come home safe and sound, and your father is so happy about it that he has ordered this celebration and killed the fattened calf.’
28—The elder son became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and pleaded with him. 29The indignant son said: ‘Look, I have slaved for you all these years. Never have I disobeyed your orders. Yet you have never given me even a young goat to celebrate with my friends. 30Then when this son of yours returns after squandering your property with loose women, you kill the fattened calf for him.’
31—The father said: ‘My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But this brother of yours was dead, and has come back to life. He was lost and is found. And for that we had to rejoice and be glad.’

THE CONCISE BIBLE
Christian Community Bible 
Catholic Pastoral Edition

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Originally published by
Ediciones Mensajero, Spain