Thematic Bible: To a householder


Thematic Bible



For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a householder which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. And he agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, and sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market place, read more.
and said unto them: go ye also into my vineyard, and whatsoever is right, I will give you: and they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And he went out about the eleventh hour and found others standing idle, and said unto them, 'Why stand ye here all the day idle?' They said unto him, 'Because no man hath hired us'. He said to them, 'Go ye also into my vineyard, and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.' When even was come, the Lord of the vineyard said unto his steward, 'Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning at the last, till thou come to the first.' And they which were hired about the eleventh hour, came and received every man a penny. Then came the first, supposing that they should receive more, and they like wise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the good man of the house, saying, 'These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us which have borne the burden and heat of the day.' He answered to one of them, saying, 'Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny?' Take that which is thy duty, and go thy way. I will give unto this last, as much as to thee. Is it not lawful for me to do as me listeth, with mine own? Is thine eye evil because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first shall be last. For many are called, and few be chosen."