Part 5 (2/2)

[38] Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of G.o.d over one sinner that repenteth.

[39] And he said, A certain man had two sons: [40] And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

[41] And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

[42] And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

[43] And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

[44] And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

[45] And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

[46] I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, [47] And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

[48] And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compa.s.sion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

[49] And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

[50] But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: [51] And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: [52] For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

[53] Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

[54] And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

[55] 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.

[56] And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

[57] And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: [58] But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

[59] And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

[60] It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

CHAPTER 10.

[1] And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

[2] And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewards.h.i.+p; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

[3] Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewards.h.i.+p: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

[4] I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewards.h.i.+p, they may receive me into their houses.

[5] So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?

[6] And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.

[7] Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.

[8] And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

[9] And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

[10] He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

[11] If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

[12] And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

[13] No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve G.o.d and mammon.

[14] And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

[15] And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but G.o.d knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of G.o.d.

[16] Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

[17] There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: [18] And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, [19] And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

[20] And it came to pa.s.s, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; [21] And in h.e.l.l he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

[22] And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

[23] But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

[24] And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pa.s.s from hence to you cannot; neither can they pa.s.s to us, that would come from thence.

[25] Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: [26] For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

[27] Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

[28] And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

[29] And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

[30] Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

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