Luke 15:29

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.

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.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But he answered his father, ‘Look, all these years I have served you and never disobeyed a commandment of yours. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
KJV
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:
WEB
But he answered his father, ‘Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.
ASV
But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and [yet] thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
DARBY
But he answering said to his father, Behold, so many years I serve thee, and never have I transgressed a commandment of thine; and to me hast thou never given a kid that I might make merry with my friends:
BLB
But answering, he said to his father, ‘Behold, so many years I serve you, and never did I transgress a commandment of yours, and never did you give to me a young goat so that I might be merry with my friends.
ÅB
men han svarte og sa til sin far: Se, i så mange år har jeg tjent deg, og aldri har jeg gjort imot ditt bud, og meg har du aldri gitt et kje for at jeg kunne være glad med mine venner;
OTB
Men han svarte faren: ‘Se! I alle disse årene har jeg tjent deg og aldri overtrådt dine bud, men du har aldri gitt meg så mye som et kje for å feire med vennene mine.
B1930
men han svarte og sa til sin far: Se, i så mange år har jeg tjent dig, og aldri har jeg gjort imot ditt bud, og mig har du aldri gitt et kje forat jeg kunde være glad med mine venner;

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Luke 15:7

    I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

    Read in context
  • Zechariah 7:3

    And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?

    Read in context
  • Luke 18:11–12

    The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

    Read in context
  • Malachi 3:14

    Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?

    Read in context
  • Luke 18:20–21

    Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 65:5

    Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 15:13–14

    And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Luke 17:10

    So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

    Read in context