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

¹ For the kingdom of heaven is like to a man that is a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into 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 market-place, ⁴ And said to them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatever is right, I will give you. And they departed. 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 saith to them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

⁷ They say to him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith to them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatever is right, that shall ye receive. ⁸ So when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last to 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 receive more; and they likewise received every man a penny. ¹¹ And when they had received it, they murmured against the master of the house. ¹² Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us, who have borne the burden and heat of the day.

¹³ But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? ¹⁴ Take that which is thine, and depart: I will give to this last, even as to thee. ¹⁵ Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? is thy eye evil because I am good?

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