Study Desk

Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

"Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,

but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.

He also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions.

So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?'

The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.

"The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.

"Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.

And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,

who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.

and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.

And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'

And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!

It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.

and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.

For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.