Then Jesus address'd himself to them in this parabolical manner. a certain person planted a vineyard, made a fence about it, clear'd the way for a wine-press, built a tower, and committed it to the care of vine-dressers, while he was travelling abroad.

at the time of vintage he sent his servant to the vine-dressers to receive the profits of his vineyard.

now what will the master of the vineyard do? on his return, said they, he will destroy those vine-dressers, and give his vineyard to others.

but this I tell you, I will never more drink of this fruit of the vine, from this time forth to that day, when I shall drink with you of the spiritual wine in the kingdom of God.

then he said to the vine-dresser, you see, I have been looking these three years for fruit from this fig-tree, but find none: hew it down, why should it cumber my ground?

for I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine to the time when the kingdom of God shall come.

I am the genuine vine, and my father is the vintager.

be attach'd to me, and I shall be so to you. as the branch cannot bear fruit of it self, except it be attach'd to the vine: so neither can you, except you continue attach'd to me.

I am the vine, you are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for independent of me ye can do nothing.

can a fig-tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine figs? no more can the sea yield water that is fresh.

he also having a sharp sickle. and another angel came out from the altar, who presided over the fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, "stretch out thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are full ripe."