“But entering into himself[1], he said: ‘How many hired servants in my father’s house have plenty of bread, and I here perish with hunger! I will arise and will go to my father, and will say to him: Father, I have sinned [2] against heaven [3] and before thee [4]; I am not now worthy[5] to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants!’ Then he rose up[6] and went to his father.
“When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him [7] and was moved with compassion, and ran to him and fell on his neck and kissed him. But the son said: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee; I am not now worthy to be called thy son.’ And the father said to his servants: ‘Bring forth quickly the first robe[8] and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring hither the fatted calf and kill
- ↑ Entering into himself. What a deep and striking expression! In the same sense it may be said that he had hitherto been out of himself, or beside himself. He had never thought seriously either of himself or of his future; he had been given over to pleasure, and had lived carelessly from day to day. Now bitter necessity forced him to enter into himself, and to ask himself why he was reduced to such a miserable condition, and what was to become of him. He called to mind his happy life in his father’s house, and sorrowfully reminded himself that even his father’s hired day-labourers were better off than he was now. He recognised that he had only himself to thank for his state of misery, and while repenting of having ever left his home, he made the resolution to return at once to his father, to confess his sin, and humbly beg to be received by him once more.
- ↑ I have sinned. He took all the blame upon himself, and did not try to excuse himself on the score of his youth, or the influence of bad companions.
- ↑ Against heaven. Against God, my heavenly Father.
- ↑ Before thee. Against thee, my earthly father.
- ↑ Not now worthy. How humble had he become who was once so proud! He was now willing to serve his father in the lowest position, and to do any work, if only he would forgive him.
- ↑ He rose up. He carried out his resolution at once. No doubt he said to himself: “What will people say when they see me returning home in such a wretched state!“ but he overcame all false shame and was bravely resolved to accept every consequence of his sin — if only he could obtain his father’s forgiveness.
- ↑ His father saw him. Every day he went to look out, in the hope that he might see his son returning.
- ↑ The first robe , ring and shoes. The father, seeing his wretched condition, was moved to intense pity, and at once ordered the servants to restore to him all the garments and ornaments befitting a son of the family.
