The Parable of the Tenants

12 ^(A)And he began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted ^(B)a vineyard ^(C)and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and ^(D)leased it to tenants and ^(E)went into another country.

^34 (A)It is like a man ^(B)going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants^[a] in charge, ^(C)each with his work, and commands ^(D)the doorkeeper to stay awake.

The Vineyard of the Lord Destroyed

² And ^(A)he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them:

The Parable of the Talents

^14 (A)“For ^(B)it will be like a man ^(C)going on a journey, who called his servants^[a] and entrusted to them his property.

¹⁷ But if ^(A)some of the branches were broken off, and you, ^(B)although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root^[a] of the olive tree, ¹⁸ do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. ¹⁹ Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” ²⁰ That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you ^(C)stand fast through faith. So ^(D)do not become proud, but ^(E)fear. ²¹ For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. ²² Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, ^(F)provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise ^(G)you too will be cut off. ²³ And ^(H)even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. ²⁴ For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

^33 (A)With many such parables he spoke ^(B)the word to them, ^(C)as they were able to hear it. ³⁴ He did not speak to them ^(D)without a parable, but ^(E)privately to his own disciples he ^(F)explained everything.

⁴ They are ^(A)Israelites, and to them belong ^(B)the adoption, ^(C)the glory, ^(D)the covenants, ^(E)the giving of the law, ^(F)the worship, and ^(G)the promises. ⁵ To them belong ^(H)the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, ^(I)who is God over all, ^(J)blessed forever. Amen.