CHAPTER L.
YOUNG RULER—WARNING TO THE RICH—PARABLE OF LABOURERS.
AND when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And Jesus said unto him,
Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said,
Thou knowest the commandments. Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear
[246]false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother, and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
The young man saith unto him, Master, all these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him,
One thing thou lackest: if thou wilt be perfect, go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he looked round about, and saith unto his disciples,
Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven!
And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them.
Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a
[247]camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, and they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith,
With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee: what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them,
Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, and the gospel's, shall receive an hundredfold, now in this time, houses, and brethren,
[248]and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come, eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market place, and said unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say
[249]unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me
[250]for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last; for many be called, but few chosen.