Study Desk

And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.

And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and she praised God.

Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead it away to water it?

As he said this, all his adversaries were put to shame; and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.

It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches."

He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

and at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for all is now ready.'

So the servant came and reported this to his master. Then the householder in anger said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame.'

"If any one comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.'

and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them.

Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living.

So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine.

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet;

"Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,

but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends.