2 The people told Jesus of this. Jesus answered, saying, "Suppose that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans because they suffered such things. But I tell you, no. Except you repent you shall all likewise perish."
3 Remember when the tower fell at Siloam and slew eighteen? Do you think they were sinners worse than all that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no. Except you repent you shall all likewise perish."
4 He spoke a parable. "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vinyard. He came and sought fruit, thereon, and found none.
5 Then said he, to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Behold these three years I came seeking fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down. Why waste the ground?'
6 The keeper begged him, saying, 'Lord, let it alone THIS year, also, that I may dig about it, dung it, then if it bears fruit well, and if not, then, after that, I shall cut it down.'
7 Knowing his wisdom the master let him do his will."
8 Now, one Sabbath Jesus was teaching in the synagogue. A woman who had been bent for eighteen years was without. When Jesus saw her, he called her to Him, and said, "Woman, you are henceforth straight."
9 He laid His hands upon her, she was straight, and began to glorify God.
10 The ruler of the temple was enraged because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. "Six days are we to labor," he cried, "how is it you have healed on the Sabbath? It should not be done!"
11 Jesus rebuked him, crying, "You hypocrite! Do you not lead your ox and your ass from the stable and let them have water? Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, be freed from her bondage, be loosened from this bond on The Sabbath Day?"
12 When He said this, all the people rejoiced, for the glorious thng He had done. Then, He said, "What is the Kingdom Of God like? What can it be compared to? Is it like the grain of a mustard seed which a man takes, plants in his garden, and when it is grown it is a great tree, the birds of the air find lodging in the branches of it?"
13 The Kingdom Of God is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal until the whole was leavened."
14 He went through the cities and villages teaching, journeying towards Jerusalem. Then said one to Him, "Rabbi, are there few that be saved?"
15 He answered, "Strive to enter in at the straight gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter in and shall not be able.
16 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you stand outside and knock on it, saying 'Lord, Lord! Open unto us!' He will answer, 'Know you not where you are?' Then you shall say, 'We have eaten and drunk in your presence. You have taught us in the streets.' But he shall say 'I tell you, I know you not. Whoever you are, depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.'
17 Then there shall be great weeping and grinding of teeth. You shall see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom Of God. You shall be cast out.
18 They shall come from the four winds and sit down in The Kingdom Of God. Behold! The last shall be the first, they that are first shall be last."
19 There came a certain Pharisee saying, "Get you out and depart quickly. For Herod seeks to kill you."
20 Jesus answered, "Go, you, and tell that fox, behold, I cast out demons. I do cures today, tomorrow, and the third day. I shall be perfected and the day after.
21 Nevertheless, I must walk today, tomorrow, and the day after. For a prophet can perish in no other place than Jerusalem.
22 Oh, Jerusalem, Jerusalem! Why kill you the prophets and stone them I sent to you? How often We have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her chicks! But you would not heed. Behold your house is left for destruction.
23 Truly, I say to you you shall not see me until the time comes when you shall say 'Blessed is He that comes in the Name of The Lord.' You shall be trodden down, rose again, and be trodden down again before that Hour comes."
THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT SUPPER
Chapter Fifty
Now, one Sabath Jesus went to the house of a Pharisee for to sup. There was there a man with dropsy.
2 Jesus asked the Pharisees and the Lawyers, "Is it lawful to heal on The Sabbath Day?"
3 But they would not answer Him, so He took the man, healed him, and let him go his way, then said to them, "Which of you, if he had an ass and it fell into a pit on the Sabbath Day, would not go straight away, to pull it out? For would God not curse you if you did not?"
4 They would not answer Him concerning these things. He put forth this parable to them.
5 "When you are invited to the wedding feast, sit not down in one of the closest places to the bride and groom, but sit you in a lower place. Then, when the bridegroom enters he will not have to make you move so someone of a higher rank may take your place. But when he comes in he may bid you 'Come up here and sit by me in this higher place.' Then shall you know truly how valued you are.
6 The man that exalts himself hightly among other men will find himself put in a lower place, when he comes before the Father. He may even find himself the servant of those who served him.
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