Luke 15
15:1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him.
15:2 The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them."
15:3 He told them this parable.
15:4 "Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn't leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it?
15:5 When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
15:6 When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'
15:7 I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
15:8 Or what woman, if she had ten drachmas coins, if she lost one drachma coin, wouldn't light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it?
15:9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost.'
15:10 Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting."
15:11 He said, "A certain man had two sons.
15:12 The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of your property.' He divided his livelihood between them.
15:13 Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living.
15:14 When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need.
15:15 He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
15:16 He wanted to fill his belly with the husks that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any.
15:17 But when he came to himself he said, 'How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough to spare, and I'm dying with hunger!
15:18 I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight.
15:19 I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants."'
15:20 "He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
15:21 The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
15:22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
15:23 Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat, and celebrate;
15:24 for this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.' They began to celebrate.
15:25 "Now his elder son was in the field. As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
15:26 He called one of the servants to him, and asked what was going on.
15:27 He said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and healthy.'
15:28 But he was angry, and would not go in. Therefore his father came out, and begged him.
15:29 But he answered his father, 'Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.
15:30 But when this, your son, came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.'
15:31 "He said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
15:32 But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.'"
Titus 3
3:1 Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
3:2 to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.
3:3 For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
3:4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared,
3:5 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
3:6 whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior;
3:7 that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
3:8 This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;
3:9 but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
3:10 Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning;
3:11 knowing that such a one is perverted, and sins, being self-condemned.
3:12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there.
3:13 Send Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing may be lacking for them.
3:14 Let our people also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful.
3:15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Philemon
1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,
1:2 to the beloved Apphia, and Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house:
1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,
1:5 hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;
1:6 that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus.
1:7 For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
1:8 Therefore, though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate,
1:9 yet for love's sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
1:10 I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus,
1:11 who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.
1:12 I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,
1:13 whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.
1:14 But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.
1:15 For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever,
1:16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
1:17 If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.
1:18 But if he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, put that to my account.
1:19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides).
1:20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord.
1:21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.
1:22 Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.
1:23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
1:24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
1:25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
