The Words of Jesus Christ Page 176 Judgment & Salvation (cont'd). Parables (cont'd)
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PAGE 176
15 JUDGMENT & SALVATION (cont'd)
18 Parables of Judgment & Salvation (cont'd)
The True Vine
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he
cleanseth it, that it may bear more fruit. Already ye are clean because of the
word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch
cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye,
except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in
me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do
nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is
withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are
burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will,
and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear
much fruit; and so shall ye be my disciples. Even as the Father hath loved me,
I also have loved you: abide ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye
shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and
abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in
you, and that your joy may be fulfilled.
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The Fig Tree
Now from the fig tree learn her parable: when her branch is now become tender,
and putteth forth its leaves, ye know that the summer is nigh; even so ye
also, when ye see these things coming to pass, know ye that he is nigh, even
at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away,
until all these things be accomplished. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but
my words shall not pass away. But of that day or that hour knoweth no one, not
even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed,
watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. It is as when a man,
sojourning in another country, having left his house, and given authority to
his servants, to each one his work, commanded also the porter to watch. Watch
therefore: for ye know not when the lord of the house cometh, whether at even,
or at midnight, or at cock-crowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he
find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
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A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking
fruit thereon, and found none. And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these
three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down;
why doth it also cumber the ground? And he answering saith unto him, Lord, let
it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it
bear fruit thenceforth, well; but if not, thou shalt cut it down.
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The Labourers in the Vineyard
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which went
out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had
agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the
marketplace idle; and to them he said, Go ye also into the vineyard, and
whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went
out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the
eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing; and he saith unto them,
Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath
hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard. And when even was
come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and
pay them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they
came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they
likewise received every man a penny. And when they received it, they murmured
against the householder, saying, These last have spent but one hour, and thou
hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden of the day and the
scorching heat. But he answered and said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no
wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take up that which is thine,
and go thy way; it is my will to give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it
not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? or is thine eye evil,
because I am good? So the last shall be first last.
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The Two Debtors
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto
a
certain king, which would make a reckoning with his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was
brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had
not wherewith to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and
children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore
fell down and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will
pay thee all. And the lord of that servant, being moved with compassion,
released him, and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out, and found
one of his fellow-servants, which owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hold
on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay what thou owest. So his
fellow-servant fell down and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and
I will pay thee. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he
should pay that which was due. So when his fellow-servants saw what was done,
they were exceeding sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was
done. Then his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, Thou wicked
servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me: shouldest
not thou also have had mercy on thy fellow-servant, even as I had mercy on
thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he
should pay all that was due. So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if
ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.
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