Section XXVI

Section XXVI.

[1, 2] [1]And there came unto him publicans and sinners to hear his word. [2]And the scribes and the Pharisees murmured, and said, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. [3]And Jesus, when he beheld their murmuring, spake unto them this parable: [4]What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if one of them were lost, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go and seek the straying one till he found it? [5]Verily I say unto you, When he findeth it, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that went not astray; [6]and bear it on his shoulders, and bring it to his house, and call his friends and neighbours, [7]and say unto them, Rejoice with me, since I have found my straying sheep. [8]So your Father which is in heaven willeth[9] not that one of these little ones that have strayed should perish, and he seeketh for them repentance. [10]I say unto you, Thus there shall be rejoicing in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety-nine righteous persons that do not need repentance.

[11]And what woman having ten drachmas would lose one of them, and not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek it with care till she found it; [12]and when she found it, call her friends and neighbours, and say unto them, Rejoice with me, as I have found my drachma that was lost? [13]I say unto you, Thus there shall be joy [Arabic, p. 101] before the angels of God over the one sinner that repenteth, more than over the ninety-nine righteous persons that do not need repentance.

[12, 13] [14]And Jesus spake unto them also another parable: [15]A man had two sons: and the younger son said unto him, My father, give me my portion that belongeth to me of thy goods. [16]And he divided between them his property. And after a few days the younger son gathered everything that belonged to him, and went into a far country, and there squandered his property by living prodigally. [17]And when he had exhausted everything he had, there occurred a great dearth in that country. [18]And when he was in want, he went and joined himself to one of the people of a city of that country; and that man sent him into the field[19] to feed the swine. [20]And he used to long to fill his belly with the carob that those swine were eating: and no man gave him. [21]And when he returned unto himself, he said, How many hired servants now in my father’s house have bread enough and to spare, while I here perish with hunger! [22]I will arise and go to my father’s house, and say unto him, My father, [23]I have sinned in heaven and before thee, and am not worthy now to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. [24]And he arose, and came to his father. But his father saw him while he was at a distance, and was moved with compassion for him, and ran,[25] and fell on his breast,[26] and kissed him. [27]And his son said unto him, My father, I have sinned in heaven and before thee, and am not worthy to be called thy son. [28]His father said unto his servants, Bring forth a stately robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and put on him shoes on his feet: [29]and bring and slay a fatted ox, that we may eat and make merry: [30]for this my son was dead, and is [Arabic, p. 102] alive; and was lost, and is found. [31]And they began to be merry.[32] Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and drew near to the house, he heard the sound of many singing.[33][34]And he called one of the lads, and asked him what this was. [35]He said unto him, Thy brother hath arrived; and thy father hath slain a fatted ox, since he hath received him safe and sound.[36][37]And he was angry, and would not enter; so his father went out, and besought him to enter. [38]And he said to his father, How many years do I serve thee in bondage, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and thou hast never given me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends? [39]but this thy son, when he had squandered thy property with harlots, and come, thou hast slain for him a fatted ox. [40]His father said unto him, My son, thou art at all times with me, and everything I have is thine. [41]It behoveth thee to rejoice and make merry, since this thy brother was dead, and is alive; and was lost, and is found.

[42]And he spake a parable unto his disciples: There was a rich man, and he had a steward; and he was accused to him that he had squandered his property. [43]So his lord called him, and said unto him, What is this that I hear regarding thee? Give me the account of thy stewardship; for it is now impossible that thou shouldest be a steward for me. [44]The steward said within himself, What shall I do, seeing that my lord taketh from me the stewardship? To dig I am not able; and to beg[45] I am ashamed. [46]I know what I will do, that, when I go out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. [47]And he called one after another of his lord’s debtors, and said to the first, How much owest thou my lord? [48]He said unto him, An hundred portions[49] of oil. He said unto him, Take thy writing, and sit down, and write quickly fifty portions.[49][50]And he said to the next, And thou, how much owest thou my lord? He said unto him, An hundred cors of wheat. He said unto him, Take [Arabic, p. 103] thy writing, and sit down, and write eighty cors. [51]And our[33] lord commended the sinful steward[52] because he had done a wise deed; for the children of this world are wiser than the children of the light in this their age. [53]And I also say unto you, Make unto yourselves friends with the wealth of this unrighteousness;[54] so that, when it is exhausted, they may receive you into their tents for ever. [55]He who is faithful in[56] a little is faithful also in much: and he who is unrighteous in a little is unrighteous also in much. [57]If then in the wealth of unrighteousness ye were not trustworthy, who will intrust you with the truth?[58][59]If ye are not found faithful in what does not belong to you, who will give you what belongeth to you?