Matthew 21:33-44

The Parable of the Tenants

33 aHear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted ba vineyard cand put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and dleased it to tenants, and ewent into another country. 34When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants
Greek bondservants; also verses 35, 36
to the tenants gto get his fruit.
35 hAnd the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and istoned another. 36 jAgain he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. 37Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 38But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, kThis is the heir. Come, llet us kill him and have his inheritance.’ 39And they took him and mthrew him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 nWhen therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” 41They said to him, o“He will put those wretches to a miserable death and plet out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.”

42Jesus said to them, q“Have you never read in the Scriptures:

r“‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
Greek  the head of the corner

this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’?
43Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God twill be taken away from you and given to a people uproducing its fruits. 44And vthe one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and wwhen it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
Some manuscripts omit verse 44


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