1 FOR THE kingdom of heaven is like the owner of an estate who went out in the morning 1 along with the dawn to hire workmen for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour (nine o'clock), he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4 And he said to them, You go also into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will pay you. And they went. 5 He went out again about the sixth hour (noon), and the ninth hour (three o'clock) he did the same. 6 And 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 They answered him, Because nobody has hired us. He told them, You go out into the vineyard also 2 and you will get whatever is just and fair. 8 When 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 And those who had been hired at the eleventh hour (five o'clock) came and received a denarius each. 10 Now when the first came, they supposed they would get more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And when they received it, they grumbled at the owner of the estate, 12 Saying, These [men] 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 3 scorching heat of the day. 13 But he answered one of them, Friend, I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this man hired last the same as I give to you. 15 Am I not permitted to do what I choose with what is mine? [Or do you begrudge my being generous?] Is your eye evil because I am good? 16 So those who [now] are last will be first [then], and those who [now] are first will be last [then]. 4 For many are called, but few chosen.