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And it came to pass that on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the Gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon Him with the elders
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and spoke unto Him, saying, "Tell us by what authority doest thou these things? Or who is he that gave thee this authority?
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And He answered and said unto them, "I will also ask you one thing, and answer Me:
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The baptism of John -- was it from Heaven, or of men?"
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And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we shall say `From Heaven,' he will say, `Why then have ye not believed him?'
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But if we say, `Of men,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet."
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And they answered that they could not tell from whence it was.
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And Jesus said unto them, "Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things."
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Then He began to speak to the people this parable: "A certain man planted a vineyard and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country 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; but the husbandmen beat him and sent him away empty.
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And again he sent another servant; and they beat him also, and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.