1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. |
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. |
3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, ... |
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: |
12 And 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. |
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. |
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. |
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. |
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. |
29 And 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: |
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. |
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. |
32 It 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. |
7 The total corruption of the people, Mic 7:1-6.
Those who fear God are to take courage, to be patient, to expect long trouble, Mic 7:7-13.
And to encourage themselves with God's promises, and faithfulness, and the future downfall of their enemies, Mic 7:14-20.
7:14 Feed - So Christ directs his officers. With thy rod - In allusion to the custom of shepherds who guided their sheep by a pastoral staff. In the wood - Protect and guide those that in their present captive state are solitary, compassed with dangers.Carmel - A fruitful place and well inhabited. In Bashan - A place of note for fruitfulness. Gilead - Equal with any of the other for plenty and safety.