1 For the kingdom of heaven is like a man that is an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. penny: the Roman penny is the eighth part of an ounce, which after five shillings the ounce is seven pence halfpenny; about fourteen cents

3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

4 And said to them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you. And they went.

5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did the same.

6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith to them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

7 They say to him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith to them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatever is right, that shall ye receive.

8 So when evening was come, the lord of the vineyard saith to his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last to the first.

9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should receive more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the master of the house,

12 Saying, These last have worked but one hour, and thou hast made them equal to us, who have borne the burden and heat of the day. have wrought…: or, have continued one hour only

13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny?

14 Take that which is thine, and go thy way: I will give to this last, even as to thee.

15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? Is thy eye evil, because I am good?

16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many are called, but few chosen.