There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them who was greedy for unjust gain, troubling his own household(1), said to his father, “Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.” And he divided his property between them. “My son, be attentive to my wisdom(2): Keep your way far from the forbidden woman, and do not go near the door of her house lest you give your honor to others and your years to the merciless, lest strangers take their fill of your strength, and your labors go to the house of the foreigner, and at the end of your life you groan when your flesh and body are consumed.”(3) Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living just as a fool is reckless and careless.(4) And when he had spent everything, as wealth gained hastily will dwindle(5) , a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need as wealth brought many new friends, but as a poor man, he was deserted by his friends.(6) So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into the fields to feed the pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
But when he came to himself he said, “How I hated discipline and my heart despised reproof! I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. I am at the brink of utter ruin in the assembled congregation.(7) The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.(8) How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against you. A wise son hears his father’s instructions, but I, a scoffer did not listen to rebuke.(9) I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants. Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me.’”(10) And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. The light of his eyes rejoiced his heart and the good news refreshed his bones.(11) And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said “The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.(12) Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” And they began to celebrate.
Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.” But he was angry and refused to go in, and in his hasty temper he exalted folly(13) and stirred up strife.(14) His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, “Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.(15) But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him! Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.”(16) And he said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. My son, be attentive to my words(17): Keep your heart with all vigilance(18), put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.(19) It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found. And just as in water, face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.”(20)
Main Text - Luke 15: 11-32
1 – Proverbs 15:27
2 – Proverbs 5:1
3 – Proverbs 5:8-11
4 – Proverbs 14:16
5 – Proverbs 13:11
6 – Proverbs 19:4
7 – Proverbs 5:12-14
8 – Proverbs 13:25
9 – Proverbs 13:1
10 – Proverbs 30:8
11 – Proverbs 15:30
12 – Proverbs 15:33
13 – Proverbs 14:29
14 – Proverbs 15:18
15 – Proverbs 27:18
16 – Proverbs 26:1
17 – Proverbs 4:20
18 – Proverbs 4:23
19 – Proverbs 4:24
20 – Proverbs 27:19
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