Translation Comparison
Luke 15
KJV compared with World English Bible
Listen & follow along
Today's reading with verse-by-verse highlighting
View
King James Version
World English Bible
1Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him.
2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
2The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”
3And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
3He told them this parable:
4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
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?
5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
5When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
6When 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!’
7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
7I 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.
8Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
8“Or what woman, if she had ten drachma coins, if she lost one drachma coin, wouldn’t light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it?
9And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
9When 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!’
10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
10Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”
11And he said, A certain man had two sons:
11He said, “A certain man had two sons.
12And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ So he divided his livelihood between them.
13And 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.
13Not 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.
14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
14When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need.
15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
15He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
16He wanted to fill his belly with the pods that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any.
17And 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!
17But 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!
18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
18I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.
19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
19I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.”’
20And 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.
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, fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21And 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.
21The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22But 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:
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 sandals on his feet.
23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
23Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat and celebrate;
24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
24for this, my son, was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate.
25Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
25“Now his elder son was in the field. As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
26And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
26He called one of the servants to him and asked what was going on.
27And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
27He said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and healthy.’
28And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
28But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and begged him.
29And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
29But 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.
30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
30But when this your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’
31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
31“He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
32It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
32But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’”