Matthew 20:1-14

Riverside(i) 1 "THE kingdom of heaven is like a man who was a householder, who went out in the early morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a shilling a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 He went out about nine o'clock and saw others standing in the market-place idle 4 and said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. 5 Again he went out about noon and about three o'clock and did the same. 6 About five o'clock he went out and found others standing and said to them, 'Why have you been standing the whole day idle?' 7 They said, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You go too into my vineyard.' 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the laborers and pay their hire, beginning with the last and going on to the first.' 9 When those who were hired about five o'clock came, they received a shilling apiece, 10 and when those who were hired first came, they thought that they would get more. But they too received a shilling apiece. 11 When they received it, they grumbled at the householder 12 and said, 'These last worked one hour and you have made them equal to us who bore the burden of the day and the heat.' 13 But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not wronging you. Did you not agree with me for a shilling? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last man the same as to you.