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Parable of the Two Sons

28 “But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. 30 Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said, ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.

31 “Which of the two obeyed his father?”

They replied, “The first.”[a]

Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. 32 For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.

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Footnotes

  1. 21:29-31 Other manuscripts read “The second.” In still other manuscripts the first son says “Yes” but does nothing, the second son says “No” but then repents and goes, and the answer to Jesus’ question is that the second son obeyed his father.

28  What tis · de do you hymeis think dokeō? A man anthrōpos had echō two dyo sons teknon, and kai he went proserchomai to the ho first prōtos and said legō, ‘ Son teknon, go hypagō and work ergazomai today sēmeron in en the ho vineyard ampelōn.’ 29 And de he ho answered apokrinomai, saying legō, ‘ I will thelō not ou,’ but de later hysteros he changed metamelomai his mind and went aperchomai. 30 Then de the man went proserchomai to the ho second heteros son and said legō the same hōsautōs thing . And de he ho answered apokrinomai, saying legō, ‘ I egō will, sir kyrios,’ but kai he did not ou go aperchomai. 31 Which tis of ek the ho two dyo did poieō the ho will thelēma of his ho father patēr?” They said legō, “ The ho first prōtos.” Jesus Iēsous said legō to them autos, · ho I tell legō you hymeis the truth amēn, · ho tax telōnēs collectors and kai · ho prostitutes pornē will enter proagō the ho kingdom basileia of ho God theos before you hymeis! 32 For gar John Iōannēs came erchomai to pros show you hymeis the way hodos of righteousness dikaiosynē, and kai you did not ou believe pisteuō him autos; · ho but de tax telōnēs collectors and kai · ho prostitutes pornē did believe pisteuō. And de even when you hymeis saw it, you did not oude change metamelomai your minds afterward hysteros · ho and believe pisteuō him autos.

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