Matthew 20

For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

The kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who, at dawn, went out to hire workers for his vineyard.

And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

After striking a deal for a day's wage with the workers, he dispatched them into his vineyard with hopeful hearts.

And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

He ventured out around mid-morning, noticing people aimlessly lingering in the town square.

And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

He told them, "Go, work in the vineyard, and I'll reward you fairly." So, they left, filled with anticipation.

Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

Once more, he ventured out around midday and late afternoon, repeating his actions with the same dedication.

And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

Around the last hour, he came across some people just standing around doing nothing. He asked them, "Why are you wasting the whole day doing nothing?"

They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

They told him, "No one has given us a job." He replied, "Then go, work in the vineyard. You'll be paid fairly for your efforts."

So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

As evening fell, the vineyard owner told his manager, "Summon the workers and pay them, starting with the last ones hired to the first."

And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

When those who were hired at the last hour arrived, each one of them was given a full day's wage.

But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

When the first ones arrived, they expected to get more. But, just like everyone else, they too received one day's wage, causing a stir of disappointment.

And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

Once they had taken it, they grumbled against the landowner.

Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

You're saying that those who worked only an hour are equal to us, who labored all day in the scorching heat.

But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

But he turned to one of them, saying gently, "My friend, I haven't treated you unfairly. Didn't we agree on a day's wage for your work?"

Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

Take what's yours and leave. I'll give to the last person the same as I gave to you.

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

Isn't it my right to do as I please with what's mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?

So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

In the end, those who were last will lead, and those who led will follow. Many are invited, but only a handful are truly chosen.

And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them,

As Jesus journeyed towards Jerusalem, he pulled his twelve disciples aside. With a serious tone, he began to speak to them.

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,

Look, we're heading to Jerusalem. There, the Son of man will be tragically betrayed to the religious leaders who will unjustly sentence him to death.

And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

He will be handed over to the Gentiles, who will ridicule, whip, and crucify him. But on the third day, he will rise again.

Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.

The mother of Zebedee's children approached him with her sons, showing deep respect and admiration. She had a special request for him in her heart.

And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.

He asked her, "What do you desire?" She pleaded, "Please, let my two sons sit beside you in your kingdom, one on your right and the other on your left."

But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

Jesus responded, "You don't fully understand what you're asking. Can you endure the same trials I'm about to face, and be immersed in the same suffering I'm going through?" They confidently replied, "Yes, we can."

And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

He told them, "You will indeed share in my struggles and be immersed in the same trials I face. But the honor of sitting at my right or left hand is not mine to grant. It's reserved for those chosen by my Father."

And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.

When the other ten heard about it, they were deeply upset with the two brothers.

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

Jesus gathered everyone and said, "You're aware that worldly leaders rule with power and the influential impose their will."

But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

But in your group, it should be different: whoever wants to be important must serve the rest.

And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

Whoever desires to lead, must first learn to serve others with humility and love.

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Just as the Son of man didn't come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.

As they left the city of Jericho, a vast crowd trailed behind him, their hearts filled with hope and curiosity.

And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

Seeing two blind men seated by the road, they heard Jesus was near and cried out in desperation, "Please, show us compassion, O Lord, son of David."

And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.

The crowd scolded them, demanding silence. Yet, their pleas grew louder, "Show us compassion, O Lord, descendant of David."

And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?

Jesus paused, beckoned them over, and asked gently, "What do you wish for me to do for you?"

They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.

They pleaded with Him, "Lord, let us truly see."

So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

Moved by deep empathy, Jesus gently touched their eyes. Instantly, they could see and they chose to follow him.