1
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Now the publicans and sinners drew near unto him to hear him.
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2
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And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying: This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them.
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3
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And he spoke to them this parable, saying:
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4
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What man of you that hath an hundred sheep, and if he shall lose one of them, doth he not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after that which was lost, until he find it?
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5
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And when he hath found it, lay it upon his shoulders, rejoicing?
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6
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And coming home, call together his friends and neighbours, saying to them: Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost?
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7
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I say to you that even so there shall be joy in heaven upon one sinner that doth penance, more than upon ninety-nine just who need not penance.
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8
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Or what woman having ten groats, if she lose one groat, doth not light a candle and sweep the house and seek diligently until she find it?
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9
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And when she hath found it, call together her friends and neighbours, saying: Rejoice with me, because I have found the groat which I had lost.
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10
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So I say to you, there shall be joy before the angels of God upon one sinner doing penance.
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11
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And he said: A certain man had two sons.
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12
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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.
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13
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And not many days after, the younger son, gathering all together, went abroad into a far country: and there wasted his substance, living riotously.
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14
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And after he had spent all, there came a mighty famine in that country: and he began to be in want.
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15
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And he went and cleaved to one of the citizens of that country. And he sent him into his farm to feed swine.
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16
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And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
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17
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And returning to himself, he said: How many hired servants in my father's house abound with bread, and I here perish with hunger!
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18
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I will arise and will go to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee.
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19
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I am not worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
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20
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And rising up, he came to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion and running to him fell upon his neck and kissed him.
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21
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And the son said to him: Father: I have sinned against heaven and before thee I am not now worthy to be called thy son.
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22
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And the father said to his servants: Bring forth quickly the first robe and put it on him: and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet.
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23
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And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it: and let us eat and make merry:
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24
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Because this my son was dead and is come to life again, was lost and is found. And they began to be merry.
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25
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Now his elder son was in the field and when he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.
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26
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And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
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27
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And he said to him: Thy brother is come and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe.
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28
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And he was angry and would not go in. His father therefore coming out began to entreat him.
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29
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And he answering, said to his father: Behold, for so many years do I serve thee and I have never transgressed thy commandment: and yet thou hast never given me a kid to make merry with my friends.
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30
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But as soon as this thy son is come, who hath devoured his substance with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
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31
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But he said to him: Son, thou art always with me; and all I have is thine.
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32
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But it was fit that we should make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead and is come to life again; he was lost, and is found.
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