4
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
5
But they thought within themselves, saying: If we shall say, From heaven: he will say: Why then did you not believe in him?
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But if we say, of men: the whole people will stone us. For they are persuaded that John was a prophet.
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And they answered that they knew not whence it was.
8
And Jesus said to them: Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
9
And he began to speak to the people this parable: A certain man planted a vineyard and let it out to husbandmen: and he was abroad for a long time.
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And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard. Who, beating him, sent him away empty.
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And again he sent another servant. But they beat him also and, treating him reproachfully, sent him away empty.
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And again he sent the third: and they wounded him also and cast him out.
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Then the lord of the vineyard said: What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. It may be, when they see him, they will reverence him.
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Whom, when the husbandmen saw, they thought within themselves, saying: This is the heir. Let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.