Mat 20 | Mont | STEP | "For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out at dawn to hire workmen for his vineyard.

‏ Matthew 20

1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out at dawn to hire workmen for his vineyard. 2 "And when he had agreed with the workmen for two shillings a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 "About nine o’clock he went out and noticed some other workmen standing idle in the market-place; 4 "and he said to them, "‘Do you also go into the vineyard, and whatever is just I will pay you.’ 5 "So they went. Again at noon, and about three o’clock, he went out and did the same thing. 6 "When he went out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, "‘Why have you been standing here idle, all the day long?’ 7 "‘Because no one has hired us,’ they replied. "He said to them, ‘Do you also go into the vineyard.’ 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.’ 9 "When those came who had begun at five o’clock, they received two shillings apiece; 10 "and when the first came they supposed that they would get more, but they also received each two shillings. 11 "And as they took it they began to grumble against the master of the house. 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.’ 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? 14 "Take your wage and begone! I chose to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 "Have I not the right to do what I choose with my own property? Or is your eye evil because I am generous?’ 16 "So the last shall be first, and the first, last."

17 When Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, he took the Twelve aside by themselves, and as they went he said to them. 18 "Look! We are on the way up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death, 19 "and hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and scourged and crucified; and on the third day he will rise from the grave."

20 Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee, with her sons, kneeling down and begging a favor of him. 21 "What is it you wish?" he said. She answered, "Command that these my two sons may sit upon your right hand and your left in your kingdom." 22 "None of you indeed shall drink," he answered, "but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." 24 When the ten heard of this, they were indignant at the two brothers; 25 but Jesus called them to him and said. "You know how the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 "Not so shall it be among you. But whoever among you wishes to become great, shall be your minister, 27 "and whoever wishes to be first among you, shall be your slave; 28 "just as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

29 Now as they were leaving Jericho a great crowd followed him. 30 And two blind men, sitting by the side of the road, heard that it was Jesus who was passing by, and cried out, "Have pity on us, Master, Son of David!" 31 But the crowd checked them, to make them keep still. They cried out all the louder, saying, "Master, have pity on us, Son of David!" 32 Then Jesus stopped and called to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" 33 "Master," they answered, "let our eyes be opened." 34 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, touched their eyes, and they saw at once, and followed him.