|
The Parable of the Workers in the
Vineyard
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an
householder, which went out early in the morning to hire
labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with
the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his
vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw
others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto
them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is
right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he
went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did
likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and
found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why
stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him,
Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye
also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that
shall ye receive.
So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith
unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them
their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And
when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour,
they received every man a penny. But when the first
came, they supposed that they should have received more;
and they likewise received every man a penny. And when
they had received it, they murmured against the goodman
of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one
hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have
borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered
one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst
not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is,
and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto
thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with
mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the
last shall be first, and the first last: for many be
called, but few chosen.
Matthew 19: 1-16 |
|
