The last will be first, and the first last!
NABRE
Matthew 20
1âThe kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3Going out about nine oâclock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and he said to them, âYou too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.â 5So they went off. [And] he went out again around noon, and around three oâclock, and did likewise. 6Going out about five oâclock, he found others standing around, and said to them, âWhy do you stand here idle all day?â 7They answered, âBecause no one has hired us.â He said to them, âYou too go into my vineyard.â 8 When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, âSummon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.â 9When those who had started about five oâclock came, each received the usual daily wage. 10So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. 11And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, 12saying, âThese last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the dayâs burden and the heat.â 13He said to one of them in reply, âMy friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14 Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? 15[Or] am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?â 16 Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.â