The Parable of the Tenants^(A)

12 Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard.^(B) He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place.

³⁴ It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants^(A) in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

The Song of the Vineyard

² He taught them many things by parables,^(A) and in his teaching said:

The Parable of the Bags of Gold^(A)

¹⁴ “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey,^(B) who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.

¹⁷ If some of the branches have been broken off,^(A) and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others^(B) and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, ¹⁸ do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.^{(C) 19} You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ²⁰ Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith.^(D) Do not be arrogant,^(E) but tremble.^{(F) 21} For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

²² Consider therefore the kindness^(G) and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue^(H) in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.^{(I) 23} And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.^{(J) 24} After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree,^(K) how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

³³ With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.^{(A) 34} He did not say anything to them without using a parable.^(B) But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

⁴ the people of Israel.^(A) Theirs is the adoption to sonship;^(B) theirs the divine glory,^(C) the covenants,^(D) the receiving of the law,^(E) the temple worship^(F) and the promises.^{(G) 5} Theirs are the patriarchs,^(H) and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah,^(I) who is God over all,^(J) forever praised!^[a](K) Amen.