32
For John came to you observing all sorts of ritual, and you put no faith in him: the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners did put faith in him, and you, though you saw this example set you, were not even afterwards sorry so as to believe him.
33
"Listen to another parable. There was a householder who planted a vineyard, made a fence round it, dug a wine-tank in it, and built a strong lodge; then let the place to vine-dressers, and went abroad.
34
When vintage-time approached, he sent his servants to the vine-dressers to receive his share of the grapes;
35
but the vine-dressers seized the servants, and one they cruelly beat, one they killed, one they pelted with stones.
36
Again he sent another party of servants more numerous than the first; and these they treated in the same manner.
37
Later still he sent to them his son, saying, "`They will respect my son.'
38
"But the vine-dressers, when they saw the son, said to one another, "`Here is the heir: come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.'
39
"So they seized him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
40
When then the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-dressers?"
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"He will put the wretches to a wretched death," was the reply, "and will entrust the vineyard to other vine-dressers who will render the produce to him at the vintage season."
42
"Have you never read in the Scriptures," said Jesus, "`The Stone which the builders rejected has been made the Cornerstone: this Cornerstone came from the Lord, and is wonderful in our eyes'?