Matthew 13:45-55

45 "Or, God's kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for excellent pearls.

46 Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it.

47 "Or, God's kingdom is like a fishnet cast into the sea, catching all kinds of fish.

48 When it is full, it is hauled onto the beach. The good fish are picked out and put in a tub; those unfit to eat are thrown away.

49 That's how it will be when the curtain comes down on history. The angels will come and cull the bad fish

50 and throw them in the garbage. There will be a lot of desperate complaining, but it won't do any good."

51 Jesus asked, "Are you starting to get a handle on all this?" They answered, "Yes."

52 He said, "Then you see how every student well-trained in God's kingdom is like the owner of a general store who can put his hands on anything you need, old or new, exactly when you need it."

53 When Jesus finished telling these stories, he left there,

54 returned to his hometown, and gave a lecture in the meetinghouse. He made a real hit, impressing everyone. "We had no idea he was this good!" they said. "How did he get so wise, get such ability?"

55 But in the next breath they were cutting him down: "We've known him since he was a kid; he's the carpenter's son. We know his mother, Mary. We know his brothers James and Joseph, Simon and Judas.