Luke 15:24

For this my sonne was dead, and is aliue againe; hee was lost, & is found. And they began to be merie.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
- American Standard Version (1901)

For this, my son, who was dead, is living again; he had gone away from me, and has come back. And they were full of joy.
- Basic English Bible

for this my son was dead and has come to life, was lost and has been found. And they began to make merry.
- Darby Bible

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
- Webster's Bible

for my son here was dead and has come to life again: he was lost and has been found.' "And they began to be merry.
- Weymouth Bible

for this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.' They began to celebrate.
- World English Bible

For this my sone was deed, and hath lyued ayen; he perischid, and is foundun. And alle men bigunnen to ete.
- Wycliffe Bible

because this my son was dead, and did live again, and he was lost, and was found; and they began to be merry.
- Youngs Literal Bible

Wesley's Notes for Luke 15:24

15:22 But the father said - Interrupting him before he had finished what he intended to say. So does God frequently cut an earnest confession short by a display of his pardoning love.

15:23 Let us be merry - Both here, and wherever else this word occurs, whether in the Old or New Testament, it implies nothing of levity, but a solid, serious, religious, heartfelt joy: indeed this was the ordinary meaning of the word two hundred years ago, when our translation was made.

15:25 The elder son seems to represent the Pharisees and scribes, mentioned #Lu 15:2|.