¶ For the kingdom of heaven is like unto an householder which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. And he agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, and sent them in to his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw other standing idle in the market place, and said unto them: go ye also into my 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 he went out about the eleventh hour and found other standing idle, and said unto them: Why stand ye here all the day idle? They said unto him: because no man hath hired us. He said to them: go ye also into my vineyard, and whatsoever shall be right, that shall ye receive.
¶ When even was come, the lord of the vineyard, said unto his steward: call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning at the last, till thou come to the first. And they which were hired about the eleventh hour, came and received every man a penny. Then came the first, supposing that they should receive more, and they like wise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they grudged against the good man 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.
¶ He answered to one of them, saying: friend I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? Take that which is thy duty, and go thy way. I will give unto this last, as much as to thee. Is it not lawful for me to do as me listeth, with mine own? Is thine eye evil because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first shall be last. For many are called, and few be chosen.
¶ And Iesus ascended to Ierusalem, and took the xij. disciples apart in the way, and said to them: Lo we go up to Ierusalem, and the son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the gentiles, to be mocked, to be scourged, and to be crucified: and the third day he shall rise again.
¶ Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. He said unto her: what wilt thou have? She said unto him: Grant that these my two sons may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand in thy kingdom. Iesus answered, and said: Ye wot not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of? And to be baptised with the baptism, that I shall be baptised with? They answered to him: That we are. He said unto them: Ye shall drink of my cup, and shall be baptised with the baptism that I shall be baptised with all. But to sit on my right hand, and on my left hand, is not mine to give you: but to them for whom it is prepared of my father.
¶ And when the ten heard this, they disdained at the two brethren. But Iesus called them unto him, and said: Ye know, that the lords of the gentiles have domination over them. And they that are great, exercise power over them. It shall not be so among you: But whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister, and whosoever will be chief, let him be your servant. Even as the son of man came, not to be ministered unto, but to minister: and to give his life for the redemption of many.
¶ And as they departed from Hiericho, much people followed him. And behold, ij. blind men sitting by the wayside, when they heard, that Iesus passed by, cried saying: Master the son of David have mercy on us. And the people rebufed them, because they should hold their peace: But they cried the more, saying: have mercy on us master which art the son of David. Then Iesus stood still, and called them, and said: what will ye that I should do to you? They said unto him: Master, that our eyes may be opened. Iesus pitied them, and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight: And they followed him.
© Faith of God
William Tyndale 1525