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28 But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’ 29 He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went. 30 He came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I’m going, sir,’ but he didn’t go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?”

They said to him, “The first.”

Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into God’s Kingdom before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you didn’t even repent afterward, that you might believe him.

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The Parable about Two Sons

28 “But what do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 His son[a] replied, ‘I don’t want to,’ but later he changed his mind and went. 30 Then the father[b] went to the other son[c] and told him the same thing. He replied, ‘I will,[d] sir,’ but he didn’t go. 31 Which of the two did the father’s will?”

They answered, “The first one.”

Jesus told them, “I tell all of you[e] with certainty, tax collectors and prostitutes will get into God’s kingdom ahead of you! 32 John came to you living a righteous life,[f] and you didn’t believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. But even when you saw that, you didn’t change your minds[g] at last and believe him.”

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 21:29 Lit. He
  2. Matthew 21:30 Lit. he
  3. Matthew 21:30 The Gk. lacks son
  4. Matthew 21:30 The Gk. lacks will
  5. Matthew 21:31 The Gk. pronoun you is pl.
  6. Matthew 21:32 Lit. you in the way of righteousness
  7. Matthew 21:32 Or didn’t repent