35-00
The Story of the Compassionate Father
This title can also be translated as: “About a father who had compassion on his son” or “What happened when a father had compassion on his son?”
35-01
One day
This phrase introduces an event that happened in the past, but does not state the specific time. Many languages have a similar way to begin telling a true story. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-newevent/01.md]])
tax collectors
Tax collectors were considered to be the worst of sinners because often they stole money from people by collecting a higher tax than the government required and keeping the difference for themselves.
35-02
story
Jesus used this story to teach truths about God’s kingdom. It is not clear if the events actually happened or not. If your language has a term that includes both fictional and real stories, you should use it here. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-parables/01.md]])
35-03
General Information
Jesus tells the story.
There was a man
This introduces a new character. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/writing-participants/01.md]])
told his father, ‘Father, I want my inheritance now!’
This is a quotation within a quotation. The entire quotation can be restated so that this portion is an indirect quotation: “told his father that he wanted his inheritance right away!” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotesinquotes/01.md]])
I want my inheritance now!
The son said this to emphasize that he was not willing to wait until after his father died in order to receive his inheritance. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])
my inheritance
This could be translated as: “the part of your wealth that will be rightfully mine when you die.”
property
This could mean wealth or possessions. This property would probably have included land, animals, and money.
35-04
General Information
Jesus continues the story.
wasted his money
This could mean spent all his money without getting anything of value in exchange. In some languages it can be translated as: “threw his money away” or “ate all his money.”
sinful living
This could mean doing sinful things.
35-05
General Information
Jesus continues the story.
a severe famine occurred
This could mean there was very little food. In some languages this might be translated as: “there was a severe famine.”
no money to buy food
Because of the famine, food was very expensive, and he had already spent all of his money.
job
This refers to work that he would do for someone else in exchange for money. If this is not clear, this sentence could start with: “So in order to earn some money, he took the only job.”
feeding pigs
This could mean giving food to pigs. This would have been considered as one of the lowest jobs in society at this time. If your language has a certain word for low status jobs, use that word.
35-06
General Information
Jesus continues the story.
said to himself, ‘What am I doing? All my father’s servants have plenty to eat, and yet here I am starving. I will go back to my father and ask to be one of his servants.’
This is a quotation within a quotation. The entire quotation can be restated so that this portion is an indirect quotation: “asked himself what he was doing! All his father’s servants have plenty to eat, and yet he was there starving. He decided to go back to his father and ask to be one of his father’s servants.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotesinquotes/01.md]])
What am I doing?
The son isn’t really asking a question, so some languages will have to translate this as a statement. Alternate translation: “Why am I living like this?” or “I should not be living like this!” or “It doesn’t make sense for me to live like this.”
35-07
General Information
Jesus continues the story.
still far away
This can also be translated as: “within sight of his father’s home, but still a distance away.” The son was getting close to his father’s house but was still far enough away that most people in the house would not have seen him. Make sure it does not sound like he was still in a different country.
felt compassion
This could mean felt deep love and pity.
hugged him and kissed him
The father did this to show his son that he loved him and was glad that the son was coming home. If people think that it is strange or wrong for a man to embrace or hug and kiss his son, you can substitute a way that men in your culture show affection to their sons. Alternate translation: “welcomed him affectionately” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-explicit/01.md]])
35-08
General Information
Jesus continues the story.
said, ‘Father, I have sinned against God and against you. I am not worthy to be your son.’
This is a quotation within a quotation. The entire quotation can be restated so that this portion is an indirect quotation: “told his father that he had sinned against God and against his father, and was not worthy to be his son.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotesinquotes/01.md]])
sinned against God and against you
This could be translated as: “sinned against God, and I have also sinned against you.”
I am not worthy
It is also possible to say: “So I am not worthy” or “As a result, I am not worthy.”
35-09
General Information
Jesus continues the story.
servants, ‘Go quickly and bring the best clothes and put them on my son! Put a ring on his finger and put sandals on his feet. Then kill the best calf so we can have a feast and celebrate, because my son was dead, but now he is alive! He was lost, but now we have found him!’
This is a quotation within a quotation. The entire quotation can be restated so that this portion is an indirect quotation: “servants to go quickly and bring the best clothes and put them on his son, and to put a ring on his finger and put sandals on his feet! He also told him to kill the best calf so they could have a feast and celebrate, because his son was dead, but now he is alive! He was lost, but now he had found him!” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotesinquotes/01.md]])
Put a ring on his finger
A ring was a sign of authority that men wore on one of their fingers. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-symaction/01.md]])
put sandals on his feet
Wealthy people of that time wore sandals. However, in many cultures the modern equivalent would be shoes. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-explicit/01.md]])
the best calf
This could also be translated as: “the fattest calf.” This was the calf that had been fattened so that, when cooked, it would taste the best.
my son was dead, but now he is alive!
This metaphor speaks of the son being gone as if he were lost. This could mean This is like my son was dead and is alive again! or I grieved as if my son had died, but now I rejoice because it is as if he has come back to life! The father is using this expression to show how happy he is that his son has come home. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]], [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md]])
He was lost, but now we have found him!
This metaphor speaks of the son being gone as if he were lost. This could mean This is like my son was lost and I have found him again! or I grieved as if my son were lost, but now I rejoice because it is as if I have found him again! The father is using this expression to show how happy he is that his son has come home. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]], [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md]])
35-10
General Information
Jesus continues the story.
Before long
This can also be translated as: “Soon” or “After a little while.”
35-11
General Information
Jesus continues the story.
35-12
General Information
Jesus continues the story.
All these years I have worked faithfully for you!
The son said this to his father to emphasize that he thought his father was treating him unfairly. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])
one small goat
A small goat would have fed fewer people than the best calf, and would not be valued as much. The older brother is complaining that his father was treating the sinful younger son better than him.
this son of yours
This expression shows that the older son was angry. It shows his rejection of his younger brother and his disapproval of his father for welcoming back this wayward son. Other languages may also have an indirect way of communicating these things. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-explicit/01.md]])
wasted your money
This could mean squandered the money that you gave him or devoured your wealth. If possible, use an expression that shows the brother’s anger.
killed the best calf
This could mean killed the best calf to eat at a feast.
35-13
General Information
Jesus continues the story.
it is right for us
This could mean it is the right thing for us to do or it is proper for us.
your brother
The father refers to his younger son as your brother to remind the older son of his relationship to the younger son and of how he should love his younger brother. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-explicit/01.md]])
was dead, but now is alive
See how you translated this in 35:09. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md]])
He was lost, but now we have found him!
See how you translated this in 35:09. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]], [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md]])
A Bible story from
These references may be slightly different in some Bible translations.