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Luke 15
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
(8,6,8,6)
The wretched prodigal behold
in mis’ry lying low,
Whom vice had sunk from high estate,
and plunged in want and woe.
While I, despised and scorned, he cries,
starve in a foreign land,
The meanest in my father’s house
is fed with bounteous hand:
I’ll go, and with a mourning voice,
fall down before his face:
Father! I’ve sinned ‘gainst Heav’n and thee,
nor can deserve thy grace.
He said, and hastened to his home,
to seek his father’s love;
The father sees him from afar,
and all his bowels move.
He ran, and fell upon his neck,
embraced and kissed his son:
The grieving prodigal bewailed
the follies he had done.
No more, my father, can I hope
to find paternal grace;
My utmost wish is to obtain
a servant’s humble place.
Bring forth the fairest robe for him,
the joyful father said;
To him each mark of grace be shown,
and ev’ry honour paid.
A day of feasting I ordain;
let mirth and song abound:
My son was dead, and lives again!
was lost, and now is found!
Thus joy abounds in paradise
among the hosts of heav’n,
Soon as the sinner quits his sins,
repents, and is forgiv’n.
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