Luke 15 Comparison: Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version
Luke 15
1And all the publicans and the sinners were drawing near to him, to hear him.
2And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3And he spoke to them this parable, saying,
4What man of you having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he findeth it?
5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6And when he hath come home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7I say to you, that in like manner there will be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety-nine righteous men who have no need of repentance.
8Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and search carefully till she findeth it?
9And when she hath found it, she calleth together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I lost.
10I say to you, that thus there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
11He said also, A certain man had two sons.
12And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of the property that falleth to me. And he divided to them his living.
13And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, and went abroad into a far country; and there wasted his substance in riotous living.
14And when he had spent all, there arose a great famine in that country; and he began to be in want.
15And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16And he longed to fill himself with the husks that the swine ate; and no one gave to him.
17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger!
18I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before thee;
19I am no longer worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants.
20And he arose, and went to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before thee; I am no longer worthy to be called thy son.
22But the father said to his servants, Bring out the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet.
23And bring the fatted calf; kill it, and let us eat and make merry.
24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to make merry.
25Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
26And calling one of the servants, he inquired what these things meant.
27And he said to him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28But he was angry, and would not go in; and his father came out, and entreated him.
29And he answering said to his father, Lo! for so many years have I served thee, and never transgressed thy command; and yet to me thou never gavest a kid, that I might make merry with my friends.
30But as soon as this thy son came, who devoured thy living with harlots, thou didst kill for him the fatted calf.
31And he said to him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32It was meet that we should make merry and be glad; for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.
Luke 15
1Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7I 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.
8Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
11And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29And 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:
30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Understanding Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version in Luke 15
Noyes Translation (1869) (Noyes)
A scholarly 1869 translation by George R. Noyes, aiming for precision and literary beauty. Known for its distinct Unitarian perspective and separate translation of poetical books like Psalms.
King James Version (KJV)
The classic 1611 English translation known for its majestic prose and literary influence. Ideal for traditional study and memorization thanks to its formal style. A foundational English Bible used for centuries.
You are viewing a side-by-side comparison of Luke 15 in the Noyes Translation (1869) and King James Version. Comparing these two versions can help shed light on the nuances of the original text.
Key Comparison: Luke 15:16
"And he longed to fill himself with the husks that the swine ate; and no one gave to him."
"And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him."





