Having obtained his patrimony, he goes into "a far country," away from his father's home. With money in plenty, and liberty to do as he likes, he flatters himself that the desire of his heart is reached. There is no one to say, Do not do this, for it will be an injury to yourself; or, Do this, because it is right. Evil companions help him to plunge ever deeper into sin, and he wastes his "substance with riotous living."

Efter at have fået sin fædrenearv drager han langt bort til et fremmed land bort fra faderhuset. Med penge i overflod og frihed til at gøre, som han vil, smigrer han sig med, at hans største ønske er blevet opfyldt. Der er ingen, som siger: "Gør ikke dette, for det vil skade dig," eller: "Gør sådan, fordi det er rigtigt." Dårlige kammerater hjælper ham at synke endnu dybere ned i synd, og han forøder "sin formue i et udsvævende liv".