Matthew 20:1-16 - The Parable Of The Workers In The Vineyard

¹ For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. ² And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. ³ And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, ⁴ And said unto them; Go you also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. ⁵ Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. ⁶ And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and said unto them, Why stand you here all the day idle?

⁷ They said unto him, Because no man has hired us. He said unto them, Go you also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall you receive. ⁸ So when evening came, the lord of the vineyard said unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

⁹ And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. ¹⁰ But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. ¹¹ And when they had received it, they murmured against the owner of the house, ¹² Saying, These last have worked but one hour, and you have made them equal unto us, who have borne the burden and heat of the day.

¹³ But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do you no wrong: did not you agree with me for a penny? ¹⁴ Take what is yours, and go your way: I will give unto this last, even as unto you. ¹⁵ Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? Is your eye evil, because I am good?

¹⁶ So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many are called, but few chosen.