NARRATOR: Jesus told his disciples this parable.
JESUS: The kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the workers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace and said to them—
HOUSEHOLDER: You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is just.
JESUS: So they went. When the landowner went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. At five o’clock he went out and found others standing around.
HOUSEHOLDER: Why are you standing here idle all day?
LABORERS: Because no one has hired us.
HOUSEHOLDER: You also go into the vineyard.
JESUS: When evening came, the owner of the vineyard spoke to his manager.
HOUSEHOLDER: Call the workers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.
JESUS: When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. When they received it, they grumbled against the householder.
FIRST: These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.
HOUSEHOLDER: Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?
JESUS: So the last will be first and the first will be last.
Matthew 20.1-16
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 55.6-9; Philippians 1.20-24, 27; Matthew 20.1-16