[1] There were some present at that very time who told him of the Galileans
whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. [2] And he answered
them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the
other Galileans, because they suffered thus? [3] I tell you, No; but unless
you repent you will all likewise perish. [4] Or those eighteen upon whom
the tower in Silo'am fell and killed them, do you think that they were
worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? [5] I tell you,
No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." [6] And he told
this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came
seeking fruit on it and found none. [7] And he said to the vinedresser,
`Lo, these three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I
find none. Cut it down; why should it use up the ground?' [8] And he
answered him, `Let it alone, sir, this year also, till I dig about it and
put on manure. [9] And if it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if
not, you can cut it down.'" [10] Now he was teaching in one of the
synagogues on the sabbath. [11] And there was a woman who had had a spirit
of infirmity for eighteen years; she was bent over and could not fully
straighten herself. [12] And when Jesus saw her, he called her and said to
her, "Woman, you are freed from your infirmity." [13] And he laid his hands
upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God. [14]
But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the
sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days on which work ought to be
done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the sabbath day." [15]
Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the
sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water
it? [16] And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound
for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?" [17] As
he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people
rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him. [18] He said
therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare
it? [19] It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in
his garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made
nests in its branches." [20] And again he said, "To what shall I compare
the kingdom of God? [21] It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in
three measures of flour, till it was all leavened." [22] He went on his way
through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. [23]
And some one said to him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" And he
said to them, [24] "Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell
you, will seek to enter and will not be able. [25] When once the
householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside
and to knock at the door, saying, `Lord, open to us.' He will answer you,
`I do not know where you come from.' [26] Then you will begin to say, `We
ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' [27] But he
will say, `I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me,
all you workers of iniquity!' [28] There you will weep and gnash your
teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the
kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out. [29] And men will come from
east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of
God. [30] And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first
who will be last." [31] At that very hour some Pharisees came, and said to
him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." [32] And he said to
them, "Go and tell that fox, `Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures
today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. [33] Nevertheless
I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following; for it cannot
be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.' [34] O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How
often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her
brood under her wings, and you would not! [35] Behold, your house is
forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, `Blessed is he
who comes in the name of the Lord!'"
