020:002 and having made an agreement with them for a shilling a day,
sent them into his vineyard.
020:003 About nine o'clock he went out and saw others loitering
in the market-place.
020:004 To these also he said, "`You also, go into the vineyard,
and whatever is right I will give you.'
020:005 "So they went. Again about twelve, and about three o'clock,
he went out and did the same.
020:006 And going out about five o'clock he found others loitering,
and he asked them, "`Why have you been standing here all
day long, doing nothing?'
020:007 "`Because no one has hired us,' they replied. "`You also,
go into the vineyard,' he said.
020:008 "When evening came, the master said to his steward, "`Call the men
and pay them their wages. Begin with the last set and finish
with the first.'
020:009 "When those came who had begun at five o'clock, they received
a shilling apiece;
020:010 and when the first came, they expected to get more, but they
also each got the shilling.
020:011 So when they had received it, they grumbled against
the employer, saying,
020:012 "`These who came last have done only one hour's work, and you
have put them on a level with us who have worked the whole
day and have borne the scorching heat.'
020:013 "`My friend,' he answered to one of them, `I am doing you
no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a shilling?
020:014 Take your money and go. I choose to give this last comer
just as much as I give you.
020:015 Have I not a right to do what I choose with my own property?