57 Bible Verses about Parables

and say, 'Thus sayeth the LORD God: There came a great Eagle with great wings; yea, with mighty long wings, full of feathers of divers colours; upon the mount of Lebanon, and took a branch from a Cedar tree,

Moreover, thus said the LORD unto me, "Go thy way, and get thee a linen breech, and gird it about thy loins, and let it not be wet."

Now will I sing my beloved friend a song of his vineyard. My beloved friend hath a vineyard in a very fruitful plenteous ground.

and say, "Wherefore lay thy mother, that lioness, among the lions, and nourished her young ones among the lion's whelps? One of her whelps she brought up, and it became a lion: it learned to spoil, and to devour folk.

Show that obstinate household a parable, and speak unto them, 'Thus sayeth the LORD God: Get thee a pot, set it on, and pour water into it:

And his disciples asked him, saying, "What manner similitude is this?" And he said, "Unto you is it given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God: but to others in similitudes, that when they see, they should not see, and when they hear they should not understand.

And the disciples came, and said to him, "Why speakest thou to them in parables?" He answered, and said unto them, "It is given unto you to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given: and he shall have abundance. But whosoever hath not: from him shall be taken away even that same that he hath. read more.
Therefore speak I to them in similitudes: For though they see, they see not; and hearing, they hear not, neither understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which prophecy saith, 'With the ears ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and with the eyes ye shall see, and shall not perceive." For this people's hearts are waxed gross. And their ears were dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed, lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their hearts, and should turn, that I might heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. "Verily I say unto you, that many prophets and perfect men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked him of the similitude. And he said unto them, "To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: But unto them that are without, shall all things be done in similitudes: that when they see, they shall see, and not discern: and when they hear they shall hear, and not understand: lest at any time they should turn, and their sins should be forgiven them."

Let him that hath ears hear, what the spirit saith unto the congregations. To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.'

And Jesus said unto him, "Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise."

how that he was taken up into paradise, and heard words not to be spoken, which no man can utter.

{An Instruction of Asaph} Hear my law, O my people; incline your ears unto the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in similitudes, and will speak forth things which have been kept secret from the beginning of the world;

All these things spake Jesus unto the people by similitudes, and with out similitudes spake he nothing to them, to fulfill that which was spoken by the prophet saying, "I will open my mouth in similitudes, and will speak forth things which have been kept secret from the beginning of the world."

And with many such similitudes he preached the word unto them, after as they might hear it. And without similitude spake he nothing unto them. But when they were apart, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Another similitude put he forth, unto them saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man which sowed good seed in his field. But while men slept, there came his foe, and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. When the blade was sprung up, and had brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. read more.
The servants then came to the householder, and said unto him, 'Sir, sowest not thou good seed in thy close, from whence then hath it tares?' But he said to them, 'The envious man hath done this.' Then the servants said unto him, 'Wilt thou then that we go and weed them out?' But he said, 'Nay, lest while ye go about to weed out the tares, ye pluck up also with them the wheat by the roots. Let both grow together till harvest come: and in time of harvest, I will say to the reapers, Gather ye first the tares, and bind them in sheaves to be burnt: but gather the wheat into my barn.'"

Then sent Jesus the people away, and came to house. And his disciples came unto him, saying, "Declare unto us the similitude of the tares in the field." Then answered he and said to them, "He that soweth the good seed, is the son of man, and the field is the world. And the children of the kingdom, they are the good seed. And the tares are the children of the wicked. read more.
And the enemy that soweth them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world. And the reapers be the angels. For even as the tares are gathered, and burnt in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this world. The son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that do offend, and all them which do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the just men shine as bright as the sun in the kingdom of their father. Whosoever hath ears to hear, let him hear.

But Joash king of Israel sent again to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, "A thistle in Lebanon sent to a cypress tree in Lebanon, saying, 'Give thy daughter to my son to wife.' But the wild beasts in Lebanon went and trod down the thistle.

And Joash king of Israel sent again to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, "A thistle in Lebanon sent to a Cedar tree of Lebanon saying, 'Give thy daughter to my son to wife.' But there came the wild beasts of Lebanon and trod down the thistle.

"A sower went out to sow his seed, and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and it was trodden under feet, and the fowls of the air devoured it up. And some fell on stone, and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moistness. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. read more.
And some fell on good ground, and sprang up and bare fruit, a hundred fold." And as he said these things, he cried, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." And his disciples asked him, saying, "What manner similitude is this?" And he said, "Unto you is it given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God: but to others in similitudes, that when they see, they should not see, and when they hear they should not understand. The similitude is this: The seed is the word of God. Those that are beside the way, are they that hear, and afterward cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the stones, are they which, when they hear, receive the word with joy. But these have no roots, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation go away. And that which fell among thorns, are they which hear, and go forth, and are choked with cares and with riches, and voluptuous living, and bring forth no fruit. That in the good ground, are they which with a good and pure heart, hear the word, and keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

And he spake many things to them in similitudes, saying, "Behold, the sower went forth to sow. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside, and the fowls came, and devoured it up. Some fell upon stony ground where it had not much earth, and anon it sprung up, because it had no depth of earth: read more.
And when the sun was up, it caught heat, and for lack of rooting withered away. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprung up and choked it. Part fell in good ground, and brought forth good fruit: some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Whosoever hath ears to hear, let him hear." And the disciples came, and said to him, "Why speakest thou to them in parables?" He answered, and said unto them, "It is given unto you to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given: and he shall have abundance. But whosoever hath not: from him shall be taken away even that same that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in similitudes: For though they see, they see not; and hearing, they hear not, neither understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which prophecy saith, 'With the ears ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and with the eyes ye shall see, and shall not perceive." For this people's hearts are waxed gross. And their ears were dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed, lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their hearts, and should turn, that I might heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. "Verily I say unto you, that many prophets and perfect men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Hear ye therefore the similitude of the sower. Whosoever heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, there cometh the evil man, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. And this is he which was sown by the wayside. But he that was sown in the stony ground, is he which heareth the word of God, and anon with joy receiveth it, yet hath no roots in himself, and therefore dureth but a season: for as soon as tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he falleth. He that was sown among thorns, is he that heareth the word of God, but the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and so is he made unfruitful. He which is sown in the good ground, is he, that heareth the word and understandeth it, which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, and some thirtyfold."

So likewise, none of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, can be my disciple.

Which of you is he that is disposed to build a tower, and sitteth not down before and counteth the cost: Whether he have sufficient to perform it? Lest after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to perform it, all that behold it, begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build, and was not able to make an end.'

"As for thy mother, she is like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waterside: her fruits and branches are grown out of many waters, her stalks were so strong that men might have made staves thereof for officers, she grew so high in her stalks. So when men saw that she exceeded the height and multitude of her branches, she was rooted out in displeasure, and cast down to the ground. The East wind dried up her fruit; her strong stalks were broken off, withered, and burnt in the fire. read more.
But now she is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground. And there is a fire gone out of her stalks, which hath burnt up her branches and her fruit: so that she hath no more strong stalks, to be staves for officers. This is a piteous and miserable thing."

He took also a branch of the land, and planted it in a fruitful ground, he brought it unto great waters, and set it as a willow tree thereby. Then did it grow, and was a great vine stock, but low by the ground: thus there came of it a vine, and it brought forth blossoms, and spread out branches. But there was another Eagle, a great one, which had great wings and many feathers: and behold, the roots of this vine had a hunger after him, and spread out his branches toward him, to water his fruits. read more.
Nevertheless it was planted upon a good ground beside great waters: so that by reason it should have brought out branches and fruit, and have been a goodly vine.' Speak thou therefore, 'Thus sayeth the LORD God: Shall this vine prosper? Shall not his roots be plucked out, his fruit be broken off, his green branches wither and fade away? Yea without either strong armies or many people, shall it be plucked up by the roots. Behold, it was planted: shall it prosper therefore? Shall it not be dried up and withered, yea even in the shooting out of his blossoms, as soon as the east wind bloweth?'"

"No man lighteth a candle, and putteth it in a privy place, neither under a bushel: But on a candlestick, that they that come in, may see the light. The light of thy body is the eye. Therefore, when thine eye is single: then is all thy body full of light. But if thine eye be evil: then shall all thy body also be full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee, be not darkness. read more.
For if all thy body shall be light, having no part dark: then shall all be full of light, even as when a candle doeth light thee with his brightness."

And he said unto them, "Is the candle lighted, to be put under a bushel, or under the table? And is it not, rather, lighted to be put on a candlestick?

When a strong man, armed, watcheth his house; That he possesseth, is in peace.

No man can enter into a strong man's house, and take away his goods, except he first bind that strong man and then spoil his house.

Now will I sing my beloved friend a song of his vineyard. My beloved friend hath a vineyard in a very fruitful plenteous ground. This he hedged, this he walled round about, and planted it with goodly grapes. In the midst of it builded he a tower, and made a wine press therein. And afterward when he looked that it should bring him grapes, it brought forth thorns. I show you now my cause, O ye Citizens of Jerusalem and whole Judah: Judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. read more.
What more could have been done for it, that I have not done? Wherefore than hath it given thorns, where I looked to have had grapes of it? Well, now I shall tell you how I will do with my vineyard: I will take the hedge from it, that it may perish, and break down the wall, that it may be trodden under foot. I will lay it waste, that it shall neither be twisted nor cut, but bear thorns and briers. I will also forbid the clouds, that they shall not rain upon it. As for the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts, it is the house of Israel, and whole Judah his fair planting. Of these he looked for equity, but see there is wrong; for righteousness, lo, it is but misery.

At the same time shall men sing of the vineyard of Muscatel. I the LORD keep it, and water it in due season. I watch day and night, that no man break into it.

If there be any faithful servant and wise, whom his master hath made ruler over his household, for to give them meat in season convenient; Happy is that servant: whom his master, when he cometh, shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, he shall make him ruler over all his goods. read more.
But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, my master will defer his coming, and begin to smite his fellows: yea and to eat and to drink with the drunken: that servant's master will come in a day when he looketh not for him: and in a hour that he is not aware of, and will divide him, and give him his reward with hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net cast into the sea, that gathereth of all kinds: the which when it is full, men draw to land, and sit and gather the good into their vessels, and cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world. The angels shall go out and sever the bad from the good, read more.
and shall cast them into a furnace of fire. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant, that seeketh good pearls, which when he had found one precious pearl, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

And he called the people unto him, and said to them, "Hear and understand. That which goeth into the mouth, defileth not the man: but that which cometh out of the mouth, defileth the man." Then came his disciples, and said unto him, "Perceivest thou not, how that the Pharisees are offended in hearing this saying?" read more.
He answered, and said, "All plants which my heavenly father hath not planted, shall be plucked up by the roots. Let them alone, they be the blind leaders of the blind. If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." Then answered Peter and said to him, "Declare unto us this parable."

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain King, which would take accounts of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents: Whom, because he had nought to pay, his Master commanded him to be sold: and his wife, and his children, and all that he had; and payment to be made. read more.
The servant fell down and besought him saying, 'Sir, give me respite, and I will pay it every whit.' Then had the Lord pity on that servant, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. And the said servant went out and found one of his fellows, which owed him a hundred pence. And laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me that thou owest.' And his fellow fell down, and besought him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' And he would not, but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. When his other fellows saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their Lord all that had happened. Then his Lord called him, and said unto him, 'O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou praydest me: Was it not mete also, that thou shouldest have had compassion on thy fellow, even as I had pity on thee?' And his Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all that was due to him. So like wise shall my heavenly father do unto you, except ye forgive with your hearts, each one to his brother their trespasses."

"Hearken another similitude. There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and made a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a strange country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, to receive the fruits of it, and the husbandmen caught his servants, and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. read more.
Again, he sent other servants more than the first, and they served them likewise. But last of all, he sent unto them his own son, saying, 'They will fear my son.' But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir: come on, let us kill him, and let us take his inheritance, to ourselves.' And they caught him, and thrust him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the Lord of the vineyard cometh, what will he do with those husbandmen?" They said unto him, He will cruelly destroy those evil persons; and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall deliver him the fruit at times convenient. Jesus said unto them, "Did ye never read in the scriptures? 'The same stone which the builders refused, the same is set in the principal part of the corner: this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.' Therefore say I unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and shall be given to the Gentiles, which shall bring forth the fruits of it. And whosoever shall fall on this stone, he shall be alto broken. But on whosoever it shall fall upon, it will grind him to powder." And when the chief priests and Pharisees heard these similitudes, they perceived that he spake of them.

"Learn a similitude of the fig tree: when his branches are yet tender, and his leaves sprung, ye know that summer is nigh. So likewise ye, when ye see all these things, be ye sure that it is near; even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these be fulfilled.

Another parable he put forth unto them saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man taketh and soweth in his field, which is the least of all seeds. But when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and it is a tree: so that the birds of the air come, and build in the branches of it."

"What say ye to this? A certain man had two sons, and came to the elder and said, 'Son, go and work today in my vineyard.' He answered and said, 'I will not.' But afterward, repented and went. Then came he to the second, and said likewise, and he answered and said, 'I will sir.' Yet went he not. read more.
Whether of these twain did the will of the father?" And they said unto him, "The first." Jesus said unto them, "Verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots shall come into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you, in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not. But the publicans and the harlots believed him. And yet ye, though ye saw it, were not yet moved with repentance; that ye might afterward have believed him.

"Likewise, as a certain man, ready to take his journey to a strange country, called his servants to him, and delivered to them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one: to every man after his ability, and straightway departed. Then he that had received the five talents, went and bestowed them, and won other five talents. read more.
Likewise, he that received two gained other two. But he that received the one, went and digged a pit in the earth and hid his master's money. After a long season, the Lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. Then came he that had received five talents, and brought other five talents saying, 'Master, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: Behold, I have gained with them five talents more.' Then his master said unto him, 'Well, good servant and faithful; Thou hast been faithful in little, I will make thee ruler over much: enter in into thy master's joy.' Also, he that received two talents came, and said, 'Master, thou deliveredest unto me two talents: Behold, I have won two other talents with them.' And his master said unto him, 'Well, good servant and faithful; Thou hast been faithful in little, I will make thee ruler over much: go in into thy master's joy.' Then he which had received the one talent came also, and said, 'Master, I considered that thou wast a hard man, which reapest where thou sowedst not, and gatherest where thou strawedst not, and was therefore afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: Behold, thou hast thine own.' His master answered, and said unto him, 'Thou evil servant and slothful, thou knowest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I strawed not: Thou oughtest therefore to have had my money to the changers, and then at my coming should I have received my mine own with vantage. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every man that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance. And from him that hath not, shall be taken away, even that he hath. And cast that unprofitable servant into utter darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Like as in a lame man his legs are not equal, even so is a parable in the fool's mouth.

"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain King, which married his son, and sent forth his servants, to call them that were bid to the wedding: and they would not come. Again he sent forth other servants, saying, 'Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner, mine oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come unto the marriage.' read more.
But they made light of it, and went their ways: one to his firm place, another about his merchandise: the remnant took his servants, and intreated them ungoodly, and slew them. When the King heard that, he was wroth, and sent forth his warriors and destroyed those murderers, and burnt up their city. Then said he to his servants, 'The wedding was prepared: but they which were bidden thereto, were not worthy. Go ye therefore out into the highways, and as many as ye find, bid them to the marriage.' The servants went out into the highways, and gathered together as many as they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding was furnished with guests. Then the King came in, to visit the guests, and spied there a man which had not on a wedding garment, and said unto him, 'Friend, how fortuned it that thou camest in hither, and hast not on a wedding garment?' And he was even speechless. Then said the King to his ministers, 'Take and bind him hand and foot, and cast him into utter darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called and few be chosen.

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."

"Whosoever heareth of me these sayings, and doeth the same, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house on a rock: And abundance of rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that same house, and it fell not: because it was grounded on the rock. And whosoever heareth of me these sayings, and doeth them not the same, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: read more.
And abundance of rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went to meet the bridegroom: five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The foolish took their lamps, but took none oil with them. read more.
But the wise took oil with them in their vessels with their lamps also. While the bridegroom tarried, all slumbered and slept. And even at midnight, there was a cry made, 'Behold, the bridegroom cometh, go out against him.' Then all those virgins arose, and prepared their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us of your oil, for our lamps go out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you, but go rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the wedding, and the gate was shut up. Afterwards came also the other virgins, saying, 'Master, master open to us.' But he answered, and said, 'Verily I say unto you: I know you not.' Look that ye watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor yet the hour, when the son of man shall come.

The trees went to anoint a king over them, and said unto the olive tree, 'Reign over us.' But the olive tree said unto them, 'Should I leave my fatness which both God and man praiseth in me, and go to be promoted over the trees?' Then said the trees to the fig tree, 'Come thou and be king over us.' read more.
And the fig tree answered them, 'Should I forsake my sweetness and my good fruit, and should go to be promoted over the trees?' Then said the trees unto the vine, 'Come thou and be king over us.' And the vine answered, 'Should I leave my wine that cheereth both God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?' Then said all the trees unto the furze-bush, 'Come thou and reign over us.' And the furze bush said unto the trees, "If it will be true that ye will anoint me king over you, then come and rest under my shadow, and ye shall see that a fire shall come out of the furze-bush and waste the cypress trees of Lebanon!'

And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him and said unto him, "There were two men in one city, a rich and a poor. And the rich had exceeding great abundance of sheep and oxen. But the poor had nothing, save one little lamb which he bought and nourished up. And it grew up with him and his children, and did eat of his own meat and drank of his own cup, and slept in his bosom, and was as dear unto him as his daughter. read more.
And there came a stranger unto the rich man. And he could not find in his heart to take of his own sheep nor of his beasts to dress for the stranger that was come unto him. But took the poor man's lamb and dressed it for the man that was come to him."

And the king said unto her, "What aileth thee?" And she answered, "I am a widow, and mine husband is dead. And thy handmaid had two sons which fought together in the fields where was no man to go between them, and the one slew the other. And behold, the whole kindred arose against thy handmaid and said, 'Deliver us him that smote his brother, that we may kill him for the soul of his brother whom he slew: for he will destroy the heir also.' And so they shall quench my sparkle which is left that he shall stir up neither name or issue upon the earth unto my husband."

And now, concerning that, I am come to speak of this thing unto the king my lord in the presence of the people. Thy handmaid thought, 'Surely I will speak unto the king; peradventure the king will hear the request of his handmaid.

And when the king came by, he cried unto him and said, "Thy servant went out in the midst of the battle. And see, there was one began to flee. And there came a man to me and said, 'Keep this man. And if he be missed thy life shall go for his, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.'

And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him and said unto him, "There were two men in one city, a rich and a poor.

Of this be sure, that if the good man of the house knew what hour the thief would come: he would surely watch, and not suffer his house to be broken up.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in the field, the which a man findeth and hideth it: and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple, and fine bysse, and fared deliciously every day. And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, which lay at his gate full of sores, desiring to be refreshed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's board. Nevertheless, the dogs came, and licked his sores. read more.
And it fortuned that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: The rich man also died, and was buried in hell. And being in hell, in torments, he lift up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom; And he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame.' But Abraham said unto him, 'Son remember, that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy pleasure, and contrariwise, Lazarus pain. Now therefore is he comforted, and thou art punished. Beyond all this, between you and us there is a great space set, so that they which would go from hence to you, cannot: neither may come from thence to us.' Then he said, 'I pray thee therefore father, send him to my father's house. For I have five brethren: for to warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.' Abraham said unto him, 'They have Moses and the prophets: let them hear them.' And he said, 'Nay, father Abraham, but if one came unto them from the dead they would repent.' He said unto him, 'If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, though one rose from death again.'"

Or what king goeth to make battle against another king, and sitteth not down first, and casteth in his mind, whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand, or else while the other is yet a great way off, he will send ambassadors, and desire peace. So likewise, none of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, can be my disciple.

Jesus answered and said, "A certain man descended from Jerusalem into Jericho; And fell into the hands of thieves, which robbed him of his raiment and wounded him, and departed leaving him half dead. And by chance, there came a certain priest that same way, and when he saw him, he passed by. And likewise a Levite, when he was come nigh to the place, went and looked on him, and passed by. read more.
Then a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came nigh unto him: and when he saw him, had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, and poured in wine, and oil, and put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and made provision for him. And on the morrow, when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host and said unto him, 'Take care of him, and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again I will recompense thee.' Which now of these three, thinkest thou was neighbor unto him that fell into the thieves hands?" And he said, "He that showed mercy on him." Then said Jesus unto him, "Go and do thou likewise."

Then said he to the people, "When ye see a cloud rise out of the west straightway ye say, 'We shall have a shower,' and so it is. And when ye se the south wind blow, ye say, 'We shall have heat,' and it cometh to pass. Hypocrites, ye can skill of the fashion of the earth, and of the sky: but what is the cause, that ye cannot skill of this time? read more.
Yea, and why judge ye not of yourselves, what is right?

Salt is good, but if salt have lost her saltiness, what shall be seasoned therewith? It is neither good for the land, nor yet for the dunghill, but men cast it out at the doors. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

And he put forth a similitude unto them, saying, "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth fruits plenteously, and he thought in himself saying, 'What shall I do? Because I have no room where to bestow my fruits.' And he said, 'This will I do. I will destroy my barns, and build greater: and therein will I gather all my fruits, and my goods: read more.
and I will say to my soul: Soul, thou hast much goods laid up in store for many years, take thine ease: eat, drink and be merry.' But God said unto him, 'Thou fool, this night will they fetch away thy soul again from thee. Then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?' So is it with him that gathered riches, and is not rich in God."

He said therefore, "A certain noble man went into a far country, to receive him a kingdom, and then to come again. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, saying unto them, 'Buy and sell till I come.' But his citizens hated him, and sent messengers after him, saying, 'We will not have this man to reign over us.' read more.
And it came to pass, when he was come again and had received his kingdom, he commanded these servants, to be called to him, to whom he gave his money, to know what every man had done. Then came the first saying, 'Lord, thy pound hath increased ten pounds.' And he said unto him, 'Well good servant, because thou wast faithful in a very little thing; Take thou authority over ten cities.' And the other came saying, 'Lord, thy pound hath increased five pounds.' And to the same he said, 'And be thou also ruler over five cities.' And the third came, and said, 'Lord, behold here thy pound, which I have kept in a napkin, for I feared thee, because thou art a strait man: thou takest up that thou laidst not down; And reapest that thou didst not sow.' And he said unto him, 'Of thine own mouth judge I thee, thou evil servant. Knowest thou that I am a strait man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow? Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank? That at my coming should I might have required mine own, with vantage.' And he said to them that stood by, 'Take from him that pound, and give it him that hath ten pounds.' And they said unto him, 'Lord he hath ten pounds.' 'I say unto you, that unto all them that have, it shall be given: and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken from him. Moreover, those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.'"

As a man which is gone into a strange country and hath left his house, and given authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch, therefore, for ye know not when the master of the house will come: whether at even, or at midnight; whether at the cock crowing, or in the dawning: lest if he come suddenly, he should find you sleeping. read more.
And that I say unto you, I say unto all men: Watch."

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh throughout dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

And he said, "A certain man had two sons, and the younger of them said to his father, father, give me my part of the goods that to me belongeth. And he divided unto them his substance. And not long after, the younger son gathered all that he had together, and took his journey into a far country, and there he wasted his goods with riotous living. read more.
And when he had spent all that he had, there rose a great dearth throughout all that same land. And he began to lack. And he went, and clave to a citizen of that same country, which sent him to his field, to keep his swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the cods, that the swine ate: and no man gave him. Then he came to himself and said, 'How many hired servants at my father's have bread enough, and I die for hunger. I will arise, and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.' And he arose, and went to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran unto him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy henceforth to be called thy son.' But his father said to his servants, 'Bring forth that best garment, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring hither that fatted calf, and kill him, and let us eat and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is now found.' And they began to be merry. The elder brother was in the field, and when he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard minstrelsy, and dancing, and called one of his servants, and asked what those things meant. And he said unto him, 'Thy brother is come, and thy father had killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.' And he was angry, and would not go in. Then came his father out, and entreated him. He answered, and said to his father, 'Lo these many years have I done thee service, neither brake at any time thy commandment, and yet gavest thou me never so much as a kid to make merry with my lovers: but as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy goods with harlots, thou hast for his pleasure killed the fatted calf.' And he said unto him, 'Son, thou wast ever with me, and all that I have is thine: it was mete that we should make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again: and was lost, and is found.'"

Another similitude said he to them, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven which a woman taketh and hideth in three pecks of meal, till all be leavened."

No man pieceth an old garment with a piece of new cloth. For then taketh he away the piece again from the garment, and the rent is made greater.

Neither do men put new wine into old vessels: for then the vessels break, and the wine runneth out, and the vessels perish: but they pour new wine into new vessels, and so are both saved together."

He put forth a similitude to the guests, when he marked how they pressed to the highest rooms, and said unto them, "When thou art bidden to a wedding of any man, sit not down in the highest room, lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him, and he that bade both him and thee, come and say to thee, 'Give this man room.' And thou then begin with shame to take the lowest room. read more.
But rather, when thou art bidden, go and sit in the lowest room, that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, 'Friend, sit up higher.' Then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself, shall be brought low. And he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted."

And he put forth this similitude, unto certain which trusted in themselves, that they were perfect, and despised others. "Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are; extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or as this publican. read more.
I fast twice in the week. I give tithe of all that I possess.' And the publican stood afar off, and would not lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote his breast, saying, 'God be merciful to me, a sinner.' I tell you, This man departed home to his house justified more than the other. For every man that exalteth himself, shall be brought low: And he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted."

Either, what woman having ten groats, if she lose one, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently, till she find it? And when she hath found it she calleth her lovers, and her neighbours saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the groat which I had lost.' Likewise I say unto you, Joy is made in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

"There was a certain lender, which had two debtors, the one ought five hundred pence, and the other fifty. When they had nothing to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them tell me, will love him most?" Simon answered, and said, "I suppose that he to whom he forgave most." And he said unto him, "Thou hast truly judged." read more.
And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, "Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, and thou gavest me no water to my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but she, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. Mine head with oil thou didst not anoint: but she hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Many sins are forgiven her, for she loved much. To whom less is forgiven, the same doeth less love."

It is not a good tree that bringeth forth evil fruit: Neither is that an evil tree, that bringeth forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his fruit. Neither of thorns gather men figs, nor of bushes gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good. And an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is evil. For of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaketh.

Why seest thou a mote in thy brother's eye, and considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Either, how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye: when thou perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Hypocrite, cast out the beam out of thine own eye first, and then shalt thou see perfectly, to pull out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

And Jesus said unto them, "Can the wedding children mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The time will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

And he said, "So is the kingdom of God, even as if a man should sow seed in the ground, and should sleep and rise up night and day: and the seed should spring, and grow up while he is not aware. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself, first the blade, then the ears, after that full corn in the ears. read more.
And as soon as the fruit is brought forth, anon he thrusteth in the sickle because that harvest is come."

And Ahijah caught the new mantle that was on him and rent it in twelve pieces, and said to Jeroboam, "Take thee ten pieces. For this sayeth the LORD God of Israel, 'Behold, I will rent the kingdom out of the hands of Solomon and will give ten tribes to thee, and he shall have one, for my servant David's sake and for Jerusalem the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:

"Therefore lay this riddle before them, and say, 'Thus sayeth the LORD God of Israel: Every pot shall be filled with wine.' And they shall say, 'Thinkest thou we know not, that every pot shall be filled with wine?' Then shalt thou say unto them, 'Thus sayeth the LORD: Behold, I shall fill all the inhabiters of this land with drunkenness, the kings that sit upon David's stool, the Priests and Prophets, with all that dwell at Jerusalem. And I will shoot them one against another; yea, the fathers against the sons, sayeth the LORD. I will not pardon them, I will not spare them, nor have pity upon them: but destroy them.'"

And when the king came by, he cried unto him and said, "Thy servant went out in the midst of the battle. And see, there was one began to flee. And there came a man to me and said, 'Keep this man. And if he be missed thy life shall go for his, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.' And as thy servant had here and there to do, he was gone." And the king of Israel said unto him, "Even so shall thy judgment be, as thou hast defined it thyself." And he hasted and took the ashes away from his eyes: and the king of Israel knew him, that he was of the Prophets.

Take heed, and hear my voice, ponder and mark my words well. Goeth not the husbandman ever in due season earnestly to his land? He moweth and ploweth his ground to sow. And when he hath made it plain, he soweth it with fitches or cumin. He soweth the wheat and Barley in their place, Milium and Rye also in their place. read more.
And that he may do it right, his God teacheth him and showeth him. For he treadeth not the fitches out with a waine, neither bringeth he the cart here and there over the cumin, but he thresheth the fitches out with a flail, and the cumin with a rod. As for the wheat, he grindeth it to make bread thereof; Inasmuch as he cannot bring it to pass with treading out. For neither the bruising that the cart wheels make, nor his beasts, can grind it. This and such like things come of the LORD of Hosts which is marvelous in counsel, and great in righteousness.

And he said unto them, "If any of you should have a friend, and should go to him at midnight, and say unto him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine is come out of the way to me, and I have nothing to set before him': And he within should answer and say, 'Trouble me not, now is the door shut, and my servants are with me in the chamber, I cannot rise and give them to thee.' read more.
I say unto you, Though he would not arise and give him, because he is his friend: Yet because of his importunity he would rise and give him as many as he needed. "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

He put forth a similitude unto them, signifying that men ought always to pray, and not to be weary, saying, "There was a Judge in a certain city, which feared not God neither regarded man. And there was a certain widow in the same city, which came unto him saying, 'Avenge me of mine adversary.' read more.
And he would not for a while. But afterward he said unto himself, 'Though I fear not God, nor care for man, yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her: lest at the last she come, and hag on me.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge sayeth. And shall not God avenge his elect, which cry night and day unto him? Yea though he defer them: I tell you, he will avenge them, and that quickly. Nevertheless, when the son of man cometh, suppose ye that he shall find faith on the earth?"

He put forth this similitude, "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he to the dresser of his vineyard, 'Behold, this three years have I come and sought fruit in this fig tree, and find none. Cut it down. Why cumbereth it the ground?' And he answered and said unto him, 'Lord let it alone this year also, till I dig round about it, and dung it, read more.
to see whether it will bear fruit: and if it bear not, then after that, cut it down.'"

And he said also unto his disciples, "There was a certain rich man, which had a steward, that was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, 'How is it, that I hear this of thee? Give accounts of thy stewardship. For thou mayest be no longer my steward.' The steward said within himself, 'What shall I do? For my master will take away from me the stewardship. I cannot dig, and to beg, I am ashamed. read more.
I know what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.' Then called he all his master's debtors, and said unto the first, 'How much owest thou unto my master?' And he said, 'An hundred tonnes of oil.' And he said to him, 'Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.' Then said he to another, 'What owest thou?' And he said, 'An hundred quarters of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take thy bill, and write fourscore.' And the Lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely. For the children of this world, are in their kind, wiser than the children of light.

I am the true vine, and my father is a husbandman. Every branch that beareth not fruit in me, he will take away. And every branch that beareth fruit will he purge, that it may bring more fruit. Now are ye clean, through the words which I have spoken unto you. read more.
Abide in me, and let me abide in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine: no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, and ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit. For without me can ye do nothing.

Verily, verily I say unto you, He that entereth not in by the door, into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way: the same is a thief and a robber. He that goeth in by the door, is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth the door, and the sheep hear his voice; And he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. read more.
And when he hath sent forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: For they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but will fly from him. For they know not the voice of strangers." This similitude spake Jesus unto them. But they understood not, what things they were, which he spake unto them.

Then put he forth this similitude to them, saying, "What man of you having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them doth not leave ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find him? And when he hath found him, he putteth him on his shoulders with joy: read more.
And as soon as he cometh home he calleth together his lovers, and neighbours saying unto them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Then waxed he a hungered, and would have eaten. But while they made ready for him, he fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel come down unto him, as it had been a great sheet, knit at the four corners, and was let down to the earth, wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth and vermin and worms, and fouls of the air. read more.
And there came a voice to him, "Rise, Peter. Kill and eat." But Peter said, "God forbid Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean." And the voice spake unto him again the second time, "What God hath cleansed that make thou not common." This was done thrice; And the vessel was received up again into heaven.

And the king said unto her, "What aileth thee?" And she answered, "I am a widow, and mine husband is dead. And thy handmaid had two sons which fought together in the fields where was no man to go between them, and the one slew the other. And behold, the whole kindred arose against thy handmaid and said, 'Deliver us him that smote his brother, that we may kill him for the soul of his brother whom he slew: for he will destroy the heir also.' And so they shall quench my sparkle which is left that he shall stir up neither name or issue upon the earth unto my husband." read more.
And the king said unto the wife, "Go home to thine house, and I will give a charge for thee." And the woman of Tekoa said unto the king, "My lord king, the trespass be on me and on my father's house, and the king and his seat be guiltless." And then said the king, "If any man say ought unto thee, bring him to me, and he shall no more trouble thee." Then said she, "Let the king remember his LORD God, that the next of the blood gather not on heaps together to destroy, and that they slay not my son." And he said, "As sure as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son's head fall to the earth." Then the woman said, "Let thine handmaid speak one word more unto my lord the king." And he said, "Say on."

Notwithstanding, in a great house are not only vessels of gold and of silver: but also of wood and of earth: Some for honour, and some unto dishonour. But if a man purge himself from such fellows, he shall be a vessel sanctified unto honour meet for the Lord, and prepared unto all good works.

For if any hear the word, and do it not, he is like unto a man that beholdeth his bodily face in a glass. For as soon as he hath looked on himself, he goeth his way, and forgetteth immediately what his fashion was: but whoso looketh in the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein - if he be not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work - the same shall be happy in his deed.

And the LORD said, "Thou hast compassion on a wild vine, whereon thou bestowedest no labour nor madest it grow, which sprang up in one night and perished in another: And should not I have compassion on Nineveh that great city, wherein there is a multitude of people, even above a hundred thousand that know not their righthand from the left, besides much cattle?"

And when it was told Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lift up his voice and called, and said unto them, "Hearken unto me you citizens of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.

Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt; thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it. Thou madest room for it, and caused it to take root, so that it filled the land. The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedar-trees. read more.
She stretched out her branches unto the sea, and her boughs unto the river. Why hast thou then broken down her hedge, that all they which go by, pluck off her grapes? The wild boar out of the wood hath rooted it up, and the beasts of the field have devoured it. Turn thee again, thou God of hosts, look down from heaven, behold and visit this vine, and the place of the vineyard that thy righthand hath planted, and the son whom thou madest so strong for thyself. It is burnt with fire, and cut down; O let them perish at the rebuke of thy wrath.

But mourn thou for the princes of Israel, and say, "Wherefore lay thy mother, that lioness, among the lions, and nourished her young ones among the lion's whelps? One of her whelps she brought up, and it became a lion: it learned to spoil, and to devour folk. read more.
The heathen heard of him, and took him in their nets, and brought him with chains unto the land of Egypt. Now when the dame saw, that all her hope and comfort was away, she took another of her whelps, and made a lion of him. Which went among the lions, and became a fierce lion: learned to spoil, and to devour folk: he destroyed their palaces, and made their cities waste. Insomuch that the whole land and every thing therein were utterly desolate through the very voice of his roaring. Then came the heathen together on every side out of all countries against him, laid their nets for him, and took him in their pit. So they bound him with chains, and brought him to the king of Babylon: which put him in prison, that his voice should no more be heard upon the mountains of Israel.

And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him and said unto him, "There were two men in one city, a rich and a poor. And the rich had exceeding great abundance of sheep and oxen. But the poor had nothing, save one little lamb which he bought and nourished up. And it grew up with him and his children, and did eat of his own meat and drank of his own cup, and slept in his bosom, and was as dear unto him as his daughter. read more.
And there came a stranger unto the rich man. And he could not find in his heart to take of his own sheep nor of his beasts to dress for the stranger that was come unto him. But took the poor man's lamb and dressed it for the man that was come to him." And David was exceeding wroth with the man, and said to Nathan, "As surely as the LORD liveth, the fellow that hath done this thing is the child of death and shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and because he had no pity."

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a free woman. Yea, and he which was of the bondwoman, was born after the flesh: but he which was of the freewoman, was born by promise. Which things betoken mystery. For these women are two testaments, the one from the mount Sinai, which gendreth unto bondage, which is Hagar. read more.
- For mount Sinai is called Hagar in Arabia, and bordereth upon the city which is now Jerusalem - and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem, which is above, is free: which is the mother of us all. For it is written, "Rejoice thou barren, that bearest no children: break forth and cry, thou that travailest not. For the desolate hath many more children, than she which hath a husband." Brethren, we are, after the manner of Isaac, children of promise: But as then he that was born carnally, persecuted him that was born spiritually; Even so is it now. Nevertheless, what saith the scripture? "Put away the bondwoman and her son. For the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman." So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman: but of the freewoman.

Show that obstinate household a parable, and speak unto them, 'Thus sayeth the LORD God: Get thee a pot, set it on, and pour water into it: put all the pieces together in it, all the good pieces: the loin and the shoulder, and fill it with the best bones. Take one of the best sheep, and a heap of bones withal: let it boil well, and let the bones seethe well therein.

For if a realm be divided against itself, that realm cannot endure.

Or if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot continue:

And he put forth a similitude unto them, "Can the blind lead the blind? Do they not both then fall into the ditch?

Thou therefore suffer affliction as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with worldly business; and that, because he would please him that hath chosen him to be a soldier.

The trees went to anoint a king over them, and said unto the olive tree, 'Reign over us.' But the olive tree said unto them, 'Should I leave my fatness which both God and man praiseth in me, and go to be promoted over the trees?' Then said the trees to the fig tree, 'Come thou and be king over us.' read more.
And the fig tree answered them, 'Should I forsake my sweetness and my good fruit, and should go to be promoted over the trees?' Then said the trees unto the vine, 'Come thou and be king over us.' And the vine answered, 'Should I leave my wine that cheereth both God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?' Then said all the trees unto the furze-bush, 'Come thou and reign over us.' And the furze bush said unto the trees, "If it will be true that ye will anoint me king over you, then come and rest under my shadow, and ye shall see that a fire shall come out of the furze-bush and waste the cypress trees of Lebanon!'

But Joash king of Israel sent again to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, "A thistle in Lebanon sent to a cypress tree in Lebanon, saying, 'Give thy daughter to my son to wife.' But the wild beasts in Lebanon went and trod down the thistle.

And though a man strive for a mastery, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

The husbandman that laboureth must first receive of the fruits.