and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’”

“Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.

And He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and rented it out to vine-growers, and went on a journey for a long time.

At the harvest time he sent a slave to the vine-growers, so that they would give him some of the produce of the vineyard; but the vine-growers beat him and sent him away empty-handed.

But when the vine-growers saw him, they reasoned with one another, saying, ‘This is the heir; let us kill him so that the inheritance will be ours.’

He will come and destroy these vine-growers and will give the vineyard to others.” When they heard it, they said, “May it never be!”

for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”