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Matthew 21

And when they came near Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, Go into the village opposite you, and straight away you will find a donkey tied up, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. And if anyone says anything to you, say, The Lord needs them. And he will s

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Coming into Jerusalem

And when they came near Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, Go into the village opposite you, and straight away you will find a donkey tied up, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. And if anyone says anything to you, say, The Lord needs them. And he will send them straight away. All this was done so that what was spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled: Tell the daughter of Sion, Look, your King is coming to you, humble, and sitting on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. And the disciples went and did as Jesus had told them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them. And a very great crowd spread their cloaks on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds going ahead of him, and those following, cried out, Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. And when he had come into Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, Who is this? And the crowd said, This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth in Galilee.

And when they got near Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples. And said to them: Go into the village opposite you. And straight away you'll find a donkey tied and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. And if any man says anything to you, you'll say: The Lord needs them. And straight away he'll send them. All this was done so what was spoken by the prophet could be carried out: Tell the daughter of Zion: Look — your King comes to you, meek and sitting on a donkey, and a colt the foal of a donkey. And the disciples went and did the way Jesus ordered them. And brought the donkey and the colt and put their clothes on them. And they set him on them. And plenty of the crowd spread their clothes in the way. Others cut down branches from the trees and spread them in the way. And the crowds who went in front and the ones who followed cried out: Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. And when he'd come into Jerusalem, all the town was moved: Who's this? And the crowd said: This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

1

And when they came near Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples,

Plain English

And when they got near Jerusalem and had come to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples.

King James Version, 1611

And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

2

saying to them, Go into the village opposite you, and straight away you will find a donkey tied up, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me.

Plain English

And said to them: Go into the village opposite you. And straight away you'll find a donkey tied and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me.

King James Version, 1611

Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.

3

And if anyone says anything to you, say, The Lord needs them. And he will send them straight away.

Plain English

And if any man says anything to you, you'll say: The Lord needs them. And straight away he'll send them.

King James Version, 1611

And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

4

All this was done so that what was spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled:

Plain English

All this was done so what was spoken by the prophet could be carried out:

King James Version, 1611

All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,

5

Tell the daughter of Sion, Look, your King is coming to you, humble, and sitting on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Plain English

Tell the daughter of Zion: Look — your King comes to you, meek and sitting on a donkey, and a colt the foal of a donkey.

King James Version, 1611

Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

6

And the disciples went and did as Jesus had told them,

Plain English

And the disciples went and did the way Jesus ordered them.

King James Version, 1611

And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,

7

and brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and he sat on them.

Plain English

And brought the donkey and the colt and put their clothes on them. And they set him on them.

King James Version, 1611

And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

8

And a very great crowd spread their cloaks on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

Plain English

And plenty of the crowd spread their clothes in the way. Others cut down branches from the trees and spread them in the way.

King James Version, 1611

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

9

And the crowds going ahead of him, and those following, cried out, Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Plain English

And the crowds who went in front and the ones who followed cried out: Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

King James Version, 1611

And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

10

And when he had come into Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, Who is this?

Plain English

And when he'd come into Jerusalem, all the town was moved: Who's this?

King James Version, 1611

And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?

11

And the crowd said, This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth in Galilee.

Plain English

And the crowd said: This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

King James Version, 1611

And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

The temple cleared

And Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all who were buying and selling there, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. And he said to them, It is written, My house will be called the house of prayer. But you have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things he did, and the children crying out in the temple, Hosanna to the Son of David, they were greatly displeased, and said to him, Do you hear what these are saying? And Jesus said to them, Yes. Have you never read, Out of the mouths of babies and infants you have brought forth praise? And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and stayed there. Now in the morning, as he came back into the city, he was hungry. And when he saw a fig tree by the road he came to it, and found nothing on it but leaves. And he said to it, Let no fruit grow on you from now on, ever. And the fig tree withered away at once. And when the disciples saw it they were amazed, saying, How quickly the fig tree has withered. Jesus answered them, I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don't doubt, you won't only do what was done to the fig tree. Even if you say to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea, it will be done. And whatever you ask for in prayer, believing, you will receive.

And Jesus went into the temple of God and threw out everyone who sold and bought in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of the ones who sold doves. And said to them: It's written: My house will be called the house of prayer. But you've made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things he did and the children crying out in the temple: Hosanna to the Son of David — they were very displeased. And said to him: Do you hear what these say? And Jesus says to them: Yes. Have you never read: Out of the mouth of babies and nursing children you've made praise perfect? And he left them and went out of the town into Bethany, and stayed the night there. Now in the morning as he came back into the town, he was hungry. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only, and said to it: Let no fruit grow on you from now on forever. And straight away the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they were shocked: How soon the fig tree has withered away. Jesus answered them: Truly I say to you, if you've got faith and don't doubt, you'll not only do this that's done to the fig tree, but if you say to this mountain: Be taken up and be thrown into the sea — it'll be done. And everything you ask in prayer, believing, you'll take.

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there. Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

12

And Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all who were buying and selling there, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves.

Plain English

And Jesus went into the temple of God and threw out everyone who sold and bought in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of the ones who sold doves.

King James Version, 1611

And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

13

And he said to them, It is written, My house will be called the house of prayer. But you have made it a den of thieves.

Plain English

And said to them: It's written: My house will be called the house of prayer. But you've made it a den of thieves.

King James Version, 1611

And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

14

And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.

King James Version, 1611

And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

15

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things he did, and the children crying out in the temple, Hosanna to the Son of David, they were greatly displeased,

Plain English

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things he did and the children crying out in the temple: Hosanna to the Son of David — they were very displeased.

King James Version, 1611

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,

16

and said to him, Do you hear what these are saying? And Jesus said to them, Yes. Have you never read, Out of the mouths of babies and infants you have brought forth praise?

Plain English

And said to him: Do you hear what these say? And Jesus says to them: Yes. Have you never read: Out of the mouth of babies and nursing children you've made praise perfect?

King James Version, 1611

And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

17

And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and stayed there.

Plain English

And he left them and went out of the town into Bethany, and stayed the night there.

King James Version, 1611

And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

18

Now in the morning, as he came back into the city, he was hungry.

Plain English

Now in the morning as he came back into the town, he was hungry.

King James Version, 1611

Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.

19

And when he saw a fig tree by the road he came to it, and found nothing on it but leaves. And he said to it, Let no fruit grow on you from now on, ever. And the fig tree withered away at once.

Plain English

And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only, and said to it: Let no fruit grow on you from now on forever. And straight away the fig tree withered away.

King James Version, 1611

And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

20

And when the disciples saw it they were amazed, saying, How quickly the fig tree has withered.

Plain English

And when the disciples saw it, they were shocked: How soon the fig tree has withered away.

King James Version, 1611

And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

21

Jesus answered them, I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don't doubt, you won't only do what was done to the fig tree. Even if you say to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea, it will be done.

Plain English

Jesus answered them: Truly I say to you, if you've got faith and don't doubt, you'll not only do this that's done to the fig tree, but if you say to this mountain: Be taken up and be thrown into the sea — it'll be done.

King James Version, 1611

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

22

And whatever you ask for in prayer, believing, you will receive.

Plain English

And everything you ask in prayer, believing, you'll take.

King James Version, 1611

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

By what authority?

And when he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority? And Jesus answered them, I will ask you one thing too. And if you tell me, I will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John — where was it from? From heaven, or from men? And they argued among themselves, saying, If we say From heaven, he will say to us, Why didn't you believe him then? But if we say From men, we are afraid of the people, because they all hold John to be a prophet. So they answered Jesus and said, We can't tell. And he said to them, Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

And when he'd come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he taught: By what authority do you do these things? And who gave you this authority? And Jesus answered them: I'll ask you one thing too. If you tell me that, I'll tell you too by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men? And they thought it over among themselves: If we say from heaven, he'll say to us: Why didn't you believe him then? But if we say from men, we're frightened of the people. Because they all count John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus: We can't tell. And he said to them: Then I don't tell you by what authority I do these things.

And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

23

And when he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?

Plain English

And when he'd come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he taught: By what authority do you do these things? And who gave you this authority?

King James Version, 1611

And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

24

And Jesus answered them, I will ask you one thing too. And if you tell me, I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

Plain English

And Jesus answered them: I'll ask you one thing too. If you tell me that, I'll tell you too by what authority I do these things.

King James Version, 1611

And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.

25

The baptism of John — where was it from? From heaven, or from men? And they argued among themselves, saying, If we say From heaven, he will say to us, Why didn't you believe him then?

Plain English

The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men? And they thought it over among themselves: If we say from heaven, he'll say to us: Why didn't you believe him then?

King James Version, 1611

The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?

26

But if we say From men, we are afraid of the people, because they all hold John to be a prophet.

Plain English

But if we say from men, we're frightened of the people. Because they all count John as a prophet.

King James Version, 1611

But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

27

So they answered Jesus and said, We can't tell. And he said to them, Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Plain English

And they answered Jesus: We can't tell. And he said to them: Then I don't tell you by what authority I do these things.

King James Version, 1611

And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Two sons and the tenants

But what do you think? A certain man had two sons. And he came to the first and said, Son, go and work in my vineyard today. He answered, I won't. But afterwards he thought better of it and went. And he came to the second and said the same. And he answered, I'm going, sir. And he didn't go. Which of the two did the will of his father? They said to him, The first. Jesus said to them, I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God ahead of you. Because John came to you in the way of righteousness and you didn't believe him. But the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And you, when you had seen it, didn't think better of it afterwards and believe him. Listen to another parable. There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and put a hedge round it, and dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. And he let it out to tenants and went away to another country. And when the time for the fruit came near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to collect the fruit of it. And the tenants took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. But last of all he sent his son to them, saying, They will respect my son. But when the tenants saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him and take his inheritance. And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. So when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants? They said to him, He will destroy those wicked men without mercy, and let his vineyard out to other tenants who will give him the fruit in its seasons. Jesus said to them, Have you never read in the scriptures: The stone the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? So I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth its fruits. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken. But on whoever it falls, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they realised he was speaking about them. But when they tried to lay hands on him, they were afraid of the crowd, because they held him to be a prophet.

But what do you think? A certain man had two sons. And he came to the first and said: Son, go and work today in my vineyard. He answered: I won't. But afterwards he was sorry and went. And he came to the second and said the same. And he answered: I'll go, sir. And didn't go. Which of the two did the will of his father? They say to him: The first. Jesus says to them: Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and the loose women go into the kingdom of God in front of you. Because John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn't believe him. But the tax collectors and the loose women believed him. And you, when you'd seen it, weren't sorry afterwards, so you could believe him. Hear another story. There was a certain householder who planted a vineyard and set a hedge about it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower, and let it out to tenants and went into a far country. And when the time of the fruit came near, he sent his servants to the tenants, so they could get its fruit. And the tenants took his servants and beat one and killed another and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. But last of all he sent his son to them: They'll respect my son. But when the tenants saw the son, they said among themselves: This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and take over his inheritance. And they caught him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. So when the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants? They say to him: He'll badly wreck those wicked men and will let out his vineyard to other tenants, who'll give him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus says to them: Have you never read in the scriptures: The stone the builders threw off, the same has turned into the head of the corner. This is the Lord's doing, and it's wonderful in our eyes. So I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bringing out the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken. But whoever it falls on, it'll grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his stories, they understood he spoke of them. But when they tried to lay hands on him, they were frightened of the crowd, because they counted him as a prophet.

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

28

But what do you think? A certain man had two sons. And he came to the first and said, Son, go and work in my vineyard today.

Plain English

But what do you think? A certain man had two sons. And he came to the first and said: Son, go and work today in my vineyard.

King James Version, 1611

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

29

He answered, I won't. But afterwards he thought better of it and went.

Plain English

He answered: I won't. But afterwards he was sorry and went.

King James Version, 1611

He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

30

And he came to the second and said the same. And he answered, I'm going, sir. And he didn't go.

Plain English

And he came to the second and said the same. And he answered: I'll go, sir. And didn't go.

King James Version, 1611

And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

31

Which of the two did the will of his father? They said to him, The first. Jesus said to them, I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God ahead of you.

Plain English

Which of the two did the will of his father? They say to him: The first. Jesus says to them: Truly I say to you that the tax collectors and the loose women go into the kingdom of God in front of you.

King James Version, 1611

Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

32

Because John came to you in the way of righteousness and you didn't believe him. But the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And you, when you had seen it, didn't think better of it afterwards and believe him.

Plain English

Because John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn't believe him. But the tax collectors and the loose women believed him. And you, when you'd seen it, weren't sorry afterwards, so you could believe him.

King James Version, 1611

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

33

Listen to another parable. There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and put a hedge round it, and dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. And he let it out to tenants and went away to another country.

Plain English

Hear another story. There was a certain householder who planted a vineyard and set a hedge about it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower, and let it out to tenants and went into a far country.

King James Version, 1611

Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

34

And when the time for the fruit came near, he sent his servants to the tenants, to collect the fruit of it.

Plain English

And when the time of the fruit came near, he sent his servants to the tenants, so they could get its fruit.

King James Version, 1611

And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.

35

And the tenants took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

Plain English

And the tenants took his servants and beat one and killed another and stoned another.

King James Version, 1611

And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

36

Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them.

King James Version, 1611

Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.

37

But last of all he sent his son to them, saying, They will respect my son.

Plain English

But last of all he sent his son to them: They'll respect my son.

King James Version, 1611

But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.

38

But when the tenants saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him and take his inheritance.

Plain English

But when the tenants saw the son, they said among themselves: This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and take over his inheritance.

King James Version, 1611

But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.

39

And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

Plain English

And they caught him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

King James Version, 1611

And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.

40

So when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?

Plain English

So when the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?

King James Version, 1611

When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?

41

They said to him, He will destroy those wicked men without mercy, and let his vineyard out to other tenants who will give him the fruit in its seasons.

Plain English

They say to him: He'll badly wreck those wicked men and will let out his vineyard to other tenants, who'll give him the fruits in their seasons.

King James Version, 1611

They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

42

Jesus said to them, Have you never read in the scriptures: The stone the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Plain English

Jesus says to them: Have you never read in the scriptures: The stone the builders threw off, the same has turned into the head of the corner. This is the Lord's doing, and it's wonderful in our eyes.

King James Version, 1611

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

43

So I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth its fruits.

Plain English

So I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bringing out the fruits of it.

King James Version, 1611

Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

44

And whoever falls on this stone will be broken. But on whoever it falls, it will grind him to powder.

Plain English

And whoever falls on this stone will be broken. But whoever it falls on, it'll grind him to powder.

King James Version, 1611

And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

45

And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they realised he was speaking about them.

Plain English

And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his stories, they understood he spoke of them.

King James Version, 1611

And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.

46

But when they tried to lay hands on him, they were afraid of the crowd, because they held him to be a prophet.

Plain English

But when they tried to lay hands on him, they were frightened of the crowd, because they counted him as a prophet.

King James Version, 1611

But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.