THE GOSPEL. St Matth. xx. 1.
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder,
which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his
vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers 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 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 labourers, 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 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. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no
wrong; didst not thou agree with me 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.