mnt - Matthew:20:1-16

mnt@Matthew:20:1 @ "For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out at dawn to hire workmen for his vineyard.

mnt@Matthew:20:2 @ "And when he had agreed with the workmen for two shillings a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

mnt@Matthew:20:3 @ "About nine oclock he went out and noticed some other workmen standing idle in the market-place;

mnt@Matthew:20:4 @ "and he said to them, "Do you also go into the vineyard, and whatever is just I will pay you.

mnt@Matthew:20:5 @ "So they went. Again at noon, and about three oclock, he went out and did the same thing.

mnt@Matthew:20:6 @ "When he went out about five oclock, he found others standing around, and said to them, "Why have you been standing here idle, all the day long?

mnt@Matthew:20:7 @ "Because no one has hired us, they replied. "He said to them, Do you also go into the vineyard.

mnt@Matthew:20:8 @ "And when evening came, the Lord of the vineyard said to his steward, "Call the workmen and pay them their wages, beginning with the last hired and ending with the first.

mnt@Matthew:20:9 @ "When those came who had begun at five oclock, they received two shillings apiece;

mnt@Matthew:20:10 @ "and when the first came they supposed that they would get more, but they also received each two shillings.

mnt@Matthew:20:11 @ "And as they took it they began to grumble against the master of the house.

mnt@Matthew:20:12 @ "Those last men, they said, have toiled only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the burning heat of the day.

mnt@Matthew:20:13 @ "In reply he said to one of them. My friend, I am doing no wrong. Did you not agree with me for two shillings?

mnt@Matthew:20:14 @ "Take your wage and begone! I chose to give to this last man the same as to you.

mnt@Matthew:20:15 @ "Have I not the right to do what I choose with my own property? Or is your eye evil because I am generous?

mnt@Matthew:20:16 @ "So the last shall be first, and the first, last."