The Gospel of Barnabas · Chapter 146
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Then said Zacchaeus: 'Sir, behold I will give, for love of God, fourfold all that I have received by usury.'
Then said Jesus: 'This day hath salvation come to this house. Verily, verily, many publicans, harlots, and sinners shall go into the kingdom of God, and they that account themselves righteous shall go into eternal flames.'
Hearing this, the Pharisees departed in indignation. Then said Jesus to them that were converted to repentance, and to his disciples: 'There was a father who had two sons, and the younger said: "Father, give me my portion of goods"; and his father gave it him. And he, having received his portion, departed and went into a far country, whereupon he wasted all his substance with harlots, living luxuriously. After this there arose a mighty famine in that country, insomuch that the wretched man went to serve a citizen, who set him to feed swine in his property. And while feeding them he assuaged his hunger in company with the swine, eating acorns. But when he came to himself he said: "Oh, how many in my father\'s house have abundance in feasting, and I perish here with hunger! I will arise, therefore, and will go to my father, and will say unto him: Father, I have sinned in heaven against thee; do with me as thou doest unto one of thy servants."'
'The poor man went, whereupon it came to pass that his father saw him coming from afar off, and was moved to compassion over him. So he went forth to meet him, and having come up to him he embraced him and kissed him.'
'The son bowed himself down, saying: "Father, I have sinned in heaven against thee, do unto me as unto one of thy servants, for I am not worthy to be called thy son."'
'The father answered: "Son, say not so, for thou art my son, and I will not suffer thee to be in the condition of my slave." And he called his servants and said: "Bring hither new robes and clothe this my son, and give him new hosen, give him the ring on his finger, and straightway kill the fatted calf and we will make merry. For this my son was dead and is now come to life again, he was lost and now is found."'
Then Zacchaeus said: 'Sir, for love of God I will repay four times everything I have received through usury.'
Then Jesus said: 'Today salvation has come to this house. Truly, truly, many tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners will enter the kingdom of God, while those who consider themselves righteous will enter the eternal flames.'
When the Pharisees heard this, they left in indignation. Jesus then said to those who had repented and to his disciples: 'A father had two sons. The younger said, "Father, give me my share of the property," and his father gave it to him. After receiving his share, he left for a distant country and wasted everything with prostitutes, living extravagantly. A severe famine then arose in that country, and the wretched man went to serve a citizen who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. While feeding them, he tried to satisfy his hunger by eating acorns with the pigs. But when he came to his senses, he said, "How many people in my father's house have abundant food, while I am dying here of hunger! I will arise and go to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. Treat me as one of your servants."'
'The poor man set out. While he was still far away, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. He went out to meet him, embraced him, and kissed him.'
'The son bowed down and said, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. Treat me as one of your servants, for I am no longer worthy to be called your son."'
'The father answered, "Son, do not say this, for you are my son, and I will not allow you to remain in the condition of a slave." He called his servants and said, "Bring new robes and clothe my son; give him new garments and place a ring on his finger. Kill the fatted calf immediately, and let us celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."'
Then said Zacchaeus: 'Sir, behold I will give, for love of God, fourfold all that I have received by usury.'
Then said Jesus: 'This day hath salvation come to this house. Verily, verily, many publicans, harlots, and sinners shall go into the kingdom of God, and they that account themselves righteous shall go into eternal flames.'
Hearing this, the Pharisees departed in indignation. Then said Jesus to them that were converted to repentance, and to his disciples: 'There was a father who had two sons, and the younger said: "Father, give me my portion of goods"; and his father gave it him. And he, having received his portion, departed and went into a far country, whereupon he wasted all his substance with harlots, living luxuriously. After this there arose a mighty famine in that country, insomuch that the wretched man went to serve a citizen, who set him to feed swine in his property. And while feeding them he assuaged his hunger in company with the swine, eating acorns. But when he came to himself he said: "Oh, how many in my father\'s house have abundance in feasting, and I perish here with hunger! I will arise, therefore, and will go to my father, and will say unto him: Father, I have sinned in heaven against thee; do with me as thou doest unto one of thy servants."'
'The poor man went, whereupon it came to pass that his father saw him coming from afar off, and was moved to compassion over him. So he went forth to meet him, and having come up to him he embraced him and kissed him.'
'The son bowed himself down, saying: "Father, I have sinned in heaven against thee, do unto me as unto one of thy servants, for I am not worthy to be called thy son."'
'The father answered: "Son, say not so, for thou art my son, and I will not suffer thee to be in the condition of my slave." And he called his servants and said: "Bring hither new robes and clothe this my son, and give him new hosen, give him the ring on his finger, and straightway kill the fatted calf and we will make merry. For this my son was dead and is now come to life again, he was lost and now is found."'