1 F or the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of an estate who went out in the morning along with the dawn to hire workmen for his vineyard.

2 A fter agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

3 A nd going out about the third hour (nine o’clock), he saw others standing idle in the marketplace;

4 A nd he said to them, You go also into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will pay you. And they went.

5 H e went out again about the sixth hour (noon), and the ninth hour (three o’clock) he did the same.

6 A nd about the eleventh hour (five o’clock) he went out and found still others standing around, and said to them, Why do you stand here idle all day?

7 T hey answered him, Because nobody has hired us. He told them, You go out into the vineyard also and you will get whatever is just and fair.

8 W hen evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, Call the workmen and pay them their wages, beginning with the last and ending with the first.

9 A nd those who had been hired at the eleventh hour (five o’clock) came and received a denarius each.

10 N ow when the first came, they supposed they would get more, but each of them also received a denarius.

11 A nd when they received it, they grumbled at the owner of the estate,

12 S aying, These who came last worked no more than an hour, and yet you have made them rank with us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.

13 B ut he answered one of them, Friend, I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?

14 T ake what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this man hired last the same as I give to you.

15 A m I not permitted to do what I choose with what is mine? Is your eye evil because I am good?

16 S o those who are last will be first, and those who are first will be last. For many are called, but few chosen.

17 A nd as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside along the way and said to them,

18 B ehold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes; and they will sentence Him to death

19 A nd deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and whipped and crucified, and He will be raised on the third day.

20 T hen the mother of Zebedee’s children came up to Him with her sons and, kneeling, worshiped Him and asked a favor of Him.

21 A nd He asked her, What do you wish? She answered Him, Give orders that these two sons of mine may sit, one at Your right hand and one at Your left in Your kingdom.

22 B ut Jesus replied, You do not realize what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink and to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized ? They answered, We are able.

23 H e said to them, You will drink My cup, but seats at My right hand and at My left are not Mine to give, but they are for those for whom they have been ordained and prepared by My Father.

24 B ut when the ten heard this, they were indignant at the two brothers.

25 A nd Jesus called them to Him and said, You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men hold them in subjection.

26 N ot so shall it be among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant,

27 A nd whoever desires to be first among you must be your slave—

28 J ust as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.

29 A nd as they were going out of Jericho, a great throng accompanied Him.

30 A nd behold, two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, Lord, have pity and mercy on us, Son of David!

31 T he crowds reproved them and told them to keep still; but they cried out all the more, Lord, have pity and mercy on us, Son of David!

32 A nd Jesus stopped and called them, and asked, What do you want Me to do for you?

33 T hey answered Him, Lord, we want our eyes to be opened!

34 A nd Jesus, in pity, touched their eyes; and instantly they received their sight and followed Him.