Call to Repent

13 Just at that time some people came who told Jesus about the ^[a]Galileans whose blood Pilate [the governor] had mixed with their sacrifices. ² Jesus replied to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they have suffered in this way? ³ I tell you, no; but unless you repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways and live changed lives], you will all likewise perish. ⁴ Or do you assume that ^[b]those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed were worse sinners than all the others who live in Jerusalem? ⁵ I tell you, no; but unless you repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways and live changed lives], you will all likewise perish.”

Parable of the Fig Tree

⁶ Then He began telling them this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree that had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it, but did not find any; ⁷ so he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and have found none. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground [depleting the soil and blocking the sunlight]?’ ⁸ But he replied to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, [just] one more year until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; ⁹ and if it bears fruit after this, fine; but if not, cut it down.’”