‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them.

A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 

 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs.

But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger!

So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.

 ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 

Then he became angry and refused to go in. 

 His father came out and began to plead with him.

‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.  But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’