Living_Oracles(i)
28 But what do you think of this? A man had two sons, and addressing his elder son, said, Son, go work today in any vineyard.
29 He answered, I will not, but afterward repented and went.
30 Then addressing the younger, he bade him likewise. He answered, Immediately, Sir, but went not.
31 Now, which of the two obeyed his father? They said, The first. Jesus replied, Indeed, I say to you, even the publicans and harlots show you the way into the kingdom of God.
32 For John came to you in the way of sanctity, and you believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him: yet you who saw this, did not afterward repent and believe him.
33 Hear another parable: A landlord planted a vineyard, and hedged it round, and digged a wine press in it, and built a tower; and having farmed it out, went abroad.
34 When the vintage approached, he sent his servants to the husbandmen to receive the fruits.
35 But they seized his servants, beat one, drove away with stones another, and killed another.
36 Again he sent other servants more respectable; but they received the same treatment;
37 finally he sent his son to them: for he said, They will reverence my son.
38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir, come, let us kill him, and keep possession of his inheritance.
39 Then they seized him, thrust him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
40 When, therefore, the proprietor of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those husbandmen?
41 They answered, He will put those wretched to a wretched death, and will let the vineyard to others, who will render him the fruits in the season.
42 Jesus replied, Did you never read in the scriptures, "A stone which the builders rejected, is made the head of the corner? This the Lord has effected, and we behold it with admiration."
43 Know, therefore, that the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation who will produce the fruits of it.
44 For whosoever shall fall on this stone, shall be bruised; and on whomsoever it shall fall, it will crush him to pieces.
45 The chief priests and the Pharisees hearing his parables, perceived that he spoke of them;
46 but though they wished to lay hold on him, they were afraid of the populace, who reckoned him a prophet.