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"For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
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When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
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He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.
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To them he said, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went their way.
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Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.
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About the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle. He said to them, 'Why do you stand here all day idle?'
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"They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' "He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and you will receive whatever is right.'
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When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.'
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"When those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius.
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When the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise each received a denarius.
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When they received it, they murmured against the master of the household,
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saying, 'These last have spent one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat!'
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"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn't you agree with me for a denarius?
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Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you.
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Isn't it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?'
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So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen."
