Thematic Bible: Parable concerning

And to some who relied on themselves as being righteous men, and looked down upon all others, He addressed this parable. "Two men went up to the Temple to pray," He said; "one being a Pharisee and the other a tax-gatherer. The Pharisee, standing erect, prayed as follows by himself: "'O God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people--I am not a thief nor a cheat nor an adulterer, nor do I even resemble this tax-gatherer. read more.
I fast twice a week. I pay the tithe on all my gains.' "But the tax-gatherer, standing far back, would not so much as lift his eyes to Heaven, but kept beating his breast and saying, "'O God, be reconciled to me, sinner that I am.' "I tell you that this man went home more thoroughly absolved from guilt than the other; for every one who uplifts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be uplifted."

"For the Kingdom of the Heavens is like an employer who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard, and having made an agreement with them for a shilling a day, sent them into his vineyard. About nine o'clock he went out and saw others loitering in the market-place. read more.
To these also he said, "'You also, go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' "So they went. Again about twelve, and about three o'clock, he went out and did the same. And going out about five o'clock he found others loitering, and he asked them, "'Why have you been standing here all day long, doing nothing?' "'Because no one has hired us,' they replied. "'You also, go into the vineyard,' he said. "When evening came, the master said to his steward, "'Call the men and pay them their wages. Begin with the last set and finish with the first.' "When those came who had begun at five o'clock, they received a shilling apiece; and when the first came, they expected to get more, but they also each got the shilling. So when they had received it, they grumbled against the employer, saying, "'These who came last have done only one hour's work, and you have put them on a level with us who have worked the whole day and have borne the scorching heat.' "'My friend,' he answered to one of them, 'I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a shilling? Take your money and go. I choose to give this last comer just as much as I give you. Have I not a right to do what I choose with my own property? Or are you envious because I am generous?'