(“) For the kingdom of heaven is like vvv a landowner who went out early in (the) morning to hire workers for his - vineyard.
- He agreed (to pay) - (them) a denarius for the day (and) sent them into his - vineyard.
- About the third hour he went out (and) saw others standing in the Mark -etplace doing nothing.
‘ You also go into (my) vineyard , ’ - he said - , ‘ and I will pay you whatever ... is right. ’
So - they went. - He went out again about (the) sixth (hour) and (the) ninth hour (and) did the same thing.
- About the eleventh (hour) he went out (and) found still others standing (around). ‘ Why have you been standing here all - day (long) doing nothing ? ’ - he asked ....
‘ Because no one has hired us , ’ they answered .... So he told them , ‘ You also go into (my) vineyard.’
When evening came , the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman , ‘ Call the workers and pay them (their) wages , starting with the last (ones hired) and moving on to the first. ’
- (The workers who were hired) about the eleventh hour came (and) each received a denarius.
So when the original (workers) came , they assumed - they would receive more. But each of them also received - a denarius.
- On receiving (their pay) , they began to grumble against the landowner.
‘ These (men who were hired) last worked only one hour , ’ they said , ‘ and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day. ’
But - he answered one of them - , ‘ Friend , vvv I am not being unfair to you. vvv Did you not agree with me on one denarius ?
Take your (pay) and go. - I want to give this - last (man) the same as (I gave) you.
vvv vvv Do I not have the right ... to do as I please with what (is) mine ? Or are you ... ... ... envious because I am generous ? ’
So the last will be first , and the first (will be) last.”
As - Jesus was going up - - - to Jerusalem , He took the twelve disciples aside - and said - ,
“ Look , we are going up to Jerusalem , and the Son - of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes. - They will condemn Him to death
and will deliver Him {over} to the Gentiles - to be mocked and flogged and crucified. And on the third day He will be raised (to life). ”
Then the mother of Zebedee’s - sons came to (Jesus) with her - sons (and) knelt down - to make a request ... of Him.
“ What do you want ? ” - - He inquired -. She answered ... , “ Declare that in Your - kingdom one of these two - sons of mine may sit at Your right hand , and (the other) at Your left. ”
“ vvv You do not know what you are asking , ” - - Jesus replied -. “ Can you drink the cup - I am going to drink ?” “ We can , ” (the brothers) answered ....
“ vvv You will indeed drink My - cup ,” (Jesus) said -. “ But - to sit at My right (or) - left - is not Mine to grant. (These seats belong) to those for whom - My - Father has prepared them. ”
When the ten heard about (this) , they were indignant with the two brothers.
But - Jesus called them aside ... (and) said , “ You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them , and (their) superiors exercise authority over them.
vvv It shall not be this way among you. Instead , whoever ... wants to become great among you must be your servant ,
and whoever ... wants to be first among you must be your slave —
just as the Son - of Man vvv did not come to be served , but to serve , and to give His - life (as) a ransom for many. ”
- (As) they were leaving ... Jericho , a large crowd followed Him.
And there were two blind (men) sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by , they cried out ... , “ Lord , Son of David , have mercy on us ! ”
- The crowd admonished them - to be silent , but - they cried out all the louder - , “ Lord , Son of David , have mercy on us ! ”
- - Jesus stopped (and) called them. “ What do you want Me to do for you ? ” - He asked.
“ Lord , ” they answered ... , “ let our - eyes be opened. ”
- Moved with compassion , - Jesus touched their - eyes , and at once they received their sight and followed Him.