The Laborers in the Vineyard

Matthew 20

Matthew 20:1 “The kingdom of heaven is like the father of a family who went out in early morning to lead workers into his vineyard.

Matthew 20:2 Then, having made an agreement with the workers for one denarius per day, he sent them into his vineyard.

Matthew 20:3 And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace.

Matthew 20:4 And he said to them, ‘You may go into my vineyard, too, and what I will give you will be just.’

Matthew 20:5 So they went forth. But again, he went out about the sixth, and about the ninth hour, and he acted similarly.

Matthew 20:6 Yet truly, about the eleventh hour, he went out and found others standing, and he said to them, ‘Why have you stood here idle all day?’

Matthew 20:7 They say to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also may go into my vineyard.’

Matthew 20:8 And when evening had arrived, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last, even to the first.’

Matthew 20:9 And so, when those who had arrived about the eleventh hour came forward, each received a single denarius.

Matthew 20:10 Then when the first ones also came forward, they considered that they would receive more. But they, too, received one denarius.

Matthew 20:11 And upon receiving it, they murmured against the father of the family,

Matthew 20:12 saying, ‘These last have worked for one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who worked bearing the weight and heat of the day.’

Matthew 20:13 But responding to one of them, he said: ‘Friend, I caused you no injury. Did you not agree with me to one denarius?

Matthew 20:14 Take what is yours and go. But it is my will to give to this last, just as to you.

Matthew 20:15 And is it not lawful for me to do what I will? Or is your eye wicked because I am good?’

Matthew 20:16 So then, the last shall be first, and the first shall be last. For many are called, but few are chosen.”