Part 7 (1/2)

CHAPTER 12.

[1] And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, [2] Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an a.s.s tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.

[3] And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

[4] And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, [5] And brought the a.s.s, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

[6] And a very great mult.i.tude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

[7] And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?

[8] The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

[9] And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to wors.h.i.+p at the feast: [10] The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

[11] Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.

[12] And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.

[13] Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

[14] And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

[15] And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, [16] Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; [17] And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.

[18] And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

[19] And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

[20] And when even was come, he went out of the city.

[21] And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, [22] And he said unto them, But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

[23] He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

[24] And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

[25] Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of G.o.d before you.

[26] Hear another parable: [27] A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.

[28] And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.

[29] And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.

[30] And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.

[31] And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others: beating some, and killing some.

[32] Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.

[33] But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be our's.

[34] And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.

[35] What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.

[36] And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.

[37] But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the mult.i.tude, because they took him for a prophet.

[38] And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, [39] The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, [40] And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

[41] Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

[42] But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: [43] And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully and slew them.

[44] But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

[45] Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

[46] Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

[47] So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

[48] And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: [49] And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

[50] Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnas.h.i.+ng of teeth.

[51] For many are called, but few are chosen.

[51] Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

[53] And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of G.o.d in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.

[54] Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

[55] But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

[56] Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

[57] And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

[58] They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto G.o.d the things that are G.o.d's.