THE
GOSPEL LUKE
13-1-9
There were some present who told Jesus about the
Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them,
"Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were
worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent,
you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam
fell on them--do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others
living in Jerusalem?
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they
did." Then he told this parable:
"A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for
fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, 'See here! For three
years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none.
Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?' He replied, 'Sir, let it alone
for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears
fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"