The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

⁶ Then He told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came and looked for fruit on it and found none. ⁷ So he said to the vinedresser of his vineyard, ‘Now these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it deplete the soil?’

⁸ “He answered him, ‘Sir, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. ⁹ And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you shall cut it down.’ ”