Speaker A
00:00:00.720 - 00:10:50.430
Now I want to tell you about the kingdom of Heaven. Strive to enter through the narrow gate. For many, I say to you, will seek to enter and not be able. Listen closely.

Not everyone who says to me, lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven. But he who does the will of my Father in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you. Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness. Now learn this. I desire mercy and not sacrifice.

For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the 99 in the wilderness and go after the one which is lost until he finds it. And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 just persons who need no repentance.

Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Assuredly I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.

How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God. For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

But take heed, these things which are impossible with men, are possible with God on heaven. I say to you who hear, the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

When he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him 10,000 talents, and he was not able to pay. His master commanded that he be sold with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.

The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him and forgave him the debt.

But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred dinarah. And he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, pay me what you owe.

So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. And he would not but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.

So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved and came and told their master all that had been done. Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, you wicked servant, I forgave all that debt because you begged me.

Should you not have also had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you? And his master was angry and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

So my heavenly Father will also do to you if each of you from his heart does not forgive his brother his trespasses.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a drag net that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which when it was full, they drew to the shore, and they sat down and gathered the good vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age, the angels will come forth to separate the wicked from the just and cast them into the furnace of fire.

There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Again I say, the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.

Now, when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace and said to them, you also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right, I will give you. So they went again. He went out about the sixth and the ninth hour and did likewise.

And about the 11th hour he went out and found others standing idle and said to them, why have you been standing here idle all day? And they said to him, because no one hired us. He said to them, you also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right, you will receive.

So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first. And when those came who were hired about the 11th hour, they each received a denarius.

But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more and they likewise received each a denarius.

And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, these last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day. But he answered one of them and said, friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me? For a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way.

I wish to give to this last man the same as you remember always the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen. Now listen closely.

The kingdom of heaven shall be likened to 10 virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now, five of them were wise and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them.

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard, behold, the bridegroom is coming.

Go out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.

But the wise answered, saying, no, lest there should not be enough for us and you, but go rather to those who sell and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came. And those who were ready went in with him to the wedding. And the door was shut.

Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Again I say, the kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.

But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.

So the servants of the owner came and said to him, sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares? And he said to them, an enemy has done this. Then the servants said to him, do you want us then to go and gather them up?

But he said, no, lest while you gather up the tares, you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest.

And at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, first gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them. But gather the wheat into my bartender Hear me, everyone, and understand. He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world.

The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom. But the tares are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age and the reapers are the angels.

Therefore, as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that offend.

And those who practice lawlessness and will cast them into the furnace of fire, there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as a son in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Now let these words sink down in your ears. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. And blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake.

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely for my sake.

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. My friends, listen closely. Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions.

If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself.

That where I am, there you may be also. And where I go, you know, and the way you know. Remember always, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.

Peace be with you.

