But when the young man heard the saying, his countenance fell, and he went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions.

And Jesus said unto his disciples, “Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.”  And the disciples were amazed at his words.  But Jesus answered again and said unto them, “Children, how hard it is for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

And Jesus looking upon them said to them, “With men this is impossible:  but with God all things are possible.”

Then answered Peter and said unto him, “Lo, we have left all, and followed thee; what then shall we have?”

And Jesus said unto them, “Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And every one that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions, and in the world to come shall inherit eternal life.  But many shall be last that are first; and first that are last.

THE PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD.

“For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that was a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.  And when he had agreed with the laborers for a shilling a day, he sent them into his vineyard.  And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing in the market-place 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 laborers 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 shilling.  And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received every man a shilling.  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, who 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 shilling?  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, and the first last.”