Chapter 108: Parable of guards around a house

1 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

2 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, and brethren, and sisters, and father, and mother, and wife, and children, and lands, for my sake, and the living's, 3 But he shall save an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, from those who are mockeries of the gift of life.

4 But many that are first to join me shall be last to die; and the last to see the light, first.

5 For the warrior of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire guards unto his home. 6 And when he had agreed with the guards for a penny a day, he sent them to surround his house and fend off the risen.

7 And the battle went poorly, so he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 8 And said unto them; Go ye also into the fields about my house, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they drew swords and went their way.

9 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise, as the battle continued.

10 And about the eleventh hour, fearing to be overrun, he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

11 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us.

12 He saith unto them, Go ye also into the battle; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

13 So when even was come and the risen burned in a pyre, the lord of the house saith unto his steward, Call the guards, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

14 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

15 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 16 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 17 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have slain the many and borne and heat of the day.

18 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 19 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 20 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

21 And as they left, so another crowd of the risen surprised them, and those that had fought long survived, but many of those who had but little experience fell.

22 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.