The Children Brought to Jesus

Then were there brought unto Jesus little children, that he should put his hands on them and pray. And his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it he was much displeased, and called them unto him, and said unto them—

"Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."

And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them, and departed thence.

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running and kneeled to him and asked him, "Good Master, what shall I do that I may have eternal life?"

And Jesus said unto him, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."

He saith unto him, "Which?"

Jesus said, "Do not kill. Do not steal. Honour thy father and thy mother. And thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

The young man saith unto him, "All those things have I kept from my youth up. What lack I yet?"

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, "If thou wilt be perfect, go thy way, sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven. And come, take up the cross and follow me."

But when the young man heard that, he went away sorrowful, for he was very rich.

And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!"

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus saith unto them again, "Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

And they that heard it said, "Who then can be saved?"

And Jesus looking upon them said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God, for with God all things are possible." Then said he again

"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man who 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 vine-yard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the market place, and said unto them, '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 ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and 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 whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.'

"So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, 'Call the labourers and give 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. But when the first came they supposed that they should have received more, and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, 'These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.'

"But he answered one of them, and said, ' Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way; I will give unto this last even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own?'"

And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem. And Jesus went before them, and they were amazed, and as they followed they were afraid.

And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, saying, "Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles, and they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him, and the third day he shall rise again."

And they understood none of these things; and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.