4
About the baptism of John - who authorized it, heaven or humans?"
5
They were on the spot, and knew it. They pulled back into a huddle and whispered, "If we say 'heaven,' he'll ask us why we didn't believe him;
6
if we say 'humans,' the people will tear us limb from limb, convinced as they are that John was God's prophet."
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They agreed to concede that round to Jesus and said they didn't know.
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Jesus said, "Then neither will I answer your question."
9
Jesus told another story to the people: "A man planted a vineyard. He handed it over to farmhands and went off on a trip. He was gone a long time.
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In time he sent a servant back to the farmhands to collect the profits, but they beat him up and sent him off empty-handed.
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He decided to try again and sent another servant. That one they beat black and blue, and sent him off empty-handed.
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He tried a third time. They worked that servant over from head to foot and dumped him in the street.
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"Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'I know what I'll do: I'll send my beloved son. They're bound to respect my son.'
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"But when the farmhands saw him coming, they quickly put their heads together. 'This is our chance - this is the heir! Let's kill him and have it all to ourselves.'