16. The son was so hungry that he was willing to eat the food the pigs were eating. But no one gave him anything.
17. The son realized that he had been very foolish. He thought, ‘All of my father’s servants have plenty of food. But I am here, almost dying with hunger.
18. I will leave and return to my father. I’ll say to him: Father, I have sinned against God and against you.
19. I am not good enough to be called your son. But let me be like one of your servants.’
20. So the son left and went to his father.“While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. He felt sorry for his son. So the father ran to him, and hugged and kissed him.
21. The son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against God and against you. I am not good enough to be called your son.’
22. But the father said to his servants, ‘Hurry! Bring the best clothes and put them on him. Also, put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23. And get our fat calf and kill it. Then we can have a feast and celebrate!
24. My son was dead, but now he is alive again! He was lost, but now he is found!’ So they began to celebrate.
25. “The older son was in the field. As he came closer to the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing.