Thematic Bible: The laborers in the vineyard


Thematic Bible



For the kingdom of the heavens is like to a man, master of a house, who went out as soon as morning to hire workmen for his vineyard. And having agreed for a drachma a day, he sent them to his vineyard. And having gone out about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the market-place, read more.
And he says to them, Retire ye also into the vineyard, and whatever should be just I will give you: and they departed. Again, having gone out about the sixth and ninth hour, he did likewise. And about the eleventh hour, having gone out, he found others standing idle, and he says to them, Why stand ye here idle the whole day? They say to him, That none has hired us. He says to them, Retire also to the vineyard; and whatever be just, ye shall receive. And it being evening, the lord of the vineyard says to his steward, Call the workmen, and give back to them the wages, beginning from the last even to the first. And they of the eleventh hour having come, thereupon received a drachma. And the first, having come, thought that they will receive more; and they also received thereupon a drachma. And having received, they murmured against the master of the house, Saying, That these last worked one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us, having borne the burden and heat of the day. And he, having answered, said to one of them, Friend, I injure thee not; didst not thou agree with me for a drachma? Take thine and retire: and I will to give to this last, as also to thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my things? Or is thine eye evil because I am good So shall the last be first, and the first last; for many are called, but few chosen.


And having received, they murmured against the master of the house, Saying, That these last worked one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us, having borne the burden and heat of the day. And he, having answered, said to one of them, Friend, I injure thee not; didst not thou agree with me for a drachma? read more.
Take thine and retire: and I will to give to this last, as also to thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my things? Or is thine eye evil because I am good