A man had two sons. He told the elder: "Son, go and work today in my vineyard."

"I will not," the son answered; but later he had a change of heart, and went to the fields to work.

Then the father told the younger son: "You go into the fields as well."

Immediately he answered: "I will." But he remained at home, and ignored his father's command. Which of these two sons fulfilled his father's command?

Why do you call me good, unless you believe I am God? You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery; Do not kill; Do not steal; Do not bear false witness; Honor your father and your mother. Do this, and you will have treasures in heaven. Still you fail in this by honoring me with your words alone, and not using everything -- your wealth, your possessions, and your life -- to help those in need.

If you wish to follow me, you must first put aside your desires and selfish way of living. Make this sacrifice and follow me. For those who wish to have eternal life must first set aside their old life. All who do this for my sake will discover new life -- both here on earth as well as in heaven.

Once there was a king who organized the wedding of his son, the prince. When all was ready, he sent his servants out to the provinces of his kingdom to summon those that were invited to the wedding, but the guests refused to come.

So the king sent out his servants, saying: "Tell those invited to the wedding, I have prepared a great dinner. My oxen and best calves have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding."

But the subjects made light of this invitation as well, and returned to their work, some to their farms, others to their businesses in town. Those who lingered behind took hold of the king's servants and beat them to death.

When the king learned of what had happened, he was enraged. He sent out his palace soldiers. They caught the murderers, executed them, and burned their houses to the ground.

Then he said to his servant: "The wedding is ready, but those that were invited were not worthy to attend. Go, then, to those that you meet on the street corners and on the road outside the city, and invite them to the wedding celebrations."

So the king's servants went to the street corners of the city, and then out along the highways, and invited everyone they encountered, both the good and the bad; and the wedding hall was filled with these guests.

That evening, the king came in to see his guests. He was shocked to see one at the table eating with the wedding garment that had been provided. He asked: "How is it that you came in to the feast without your wedding garment?" But the man could give no answer.

Then the king said to his servants: "Bind this man and have him removed." I will add this: many are called -- into the kingdom -- but few are chosen. The time has come. The kingdom of God is at hand. I have called you from the world's way of living life. Repent, put on the garments of salvation, and believe this good news.

No one can come to me unless the Father, who has sent me, draws him; and I will raise up that person on the last day. All of you whom the Father has given me will come to me: and whoever comes to me, I will never, even refuse.

Because I have told you such things, do you believe? Truly, you will see even greater things that these.

Enter therefore through the narrow gate; for wide is the path, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many go that way; but narrow is the gate and the path, which lead to life, and there are few that find it. Make every effort to go through the gate that leads to life. One day, many will suddenly want to change their way for the right way, and it will be too late.

Truly, I tell you this: unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God. Except you are born of water and the Holy Spirit, you cannot enter the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of Spirit is spirit. The wind blows where it wishes, and we hear the sound it makes; but we cannot tell from where it comes, or where it will go. So it is for everyone that is born of the Spirit.

Consider these examples: No one weaves a piece of new cloth into an old rotting garment, for the new which is woven in will just pull the old cloth apart, and the tear will be made worse. Neither do you put new wine into old wine barrels. The old barrels might burst, the new wine run out, and the investment would be lost. Instead you put new wine into new barrels; and both are preserved.

How is it that, with so much learning, you still aren't familiar with the most basic truth? If I have told you such things, using earthly examples, and you fail to understand, how will you understand if I tell you of heavenly things?

God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Whoever believes in him is not condemned; but whoever does not believe stands condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of God's only Son.

I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though they die on this earth, will live again. They will be give eternal life and not perish! I have told you so, many times: If you believe you will see the glory of God.

My mission is to accomplish the purpose of him that sent me, and to fulfill his work; and this is God's will: That you come to truly believe in the Messiah, whom the Father has sent.

Hear this story: A man had two sons. One day the younger son said to his father: "Father, give me my part of the inheritance." So the father gave him his share.

Not long afterwards this same son gathered his possessions, and journeyed to a far country. There he wasted his wealth in reckless living. When his last penny was gone, a terrible famine swept across the land. He was destitute and without friends.

Finally he found work tending pigs. In his desperation, he was about to eat the corn husks that he was given to feed the pigs; when, coming to his senses, he thought: My father's servants have more than enough bread to eat, with much left over; while I am about to eat pigs' food, in order not to perish! I will go back to my father, and will say: 'Father, I have sinned against you and heaven. I am no longer worthy to be called your son, but let me at least be one of your hired servants.'"

With this plan in mind, he rose from the dust, and began the long trip back to his father.

When he was still a great way off, his father saw him, and having compassion on him, ran out to meet him and embraced him tenderly.

The son began: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son."

But the father didn't let him finish his confession. He turned to his servants and said: "Bring out my best clothes, and dress my son. Put my signet ring on his hand, and my finest shoes on his feet. Bring our fattest calf from the field, and kill it, and let us eat and be merry. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and now is found." In a few hours there began a great celebration.

Towards evening his older brother returned from working in the field; and as he came near the house he heard the music and dancing. He called one of the servants, and asked: "What is the meaning of such celebration?"

The servant replied: "Your brother has come home; and your father has killed the fattest calf, because he has returned safe and sound."

At this the brother became very angry, and refused to go in to the banquet; so that his father came out, and begged him to come in.

But he answered: "Behold all these years I have served you, never breaking one of your commandments; yet you never offered me parties to celebrate with my friends. Now my wandering brother returns, who has no doubt wasted his inheritance on prostitutes, and you kill the prized calf to celebrate."

The father said: "My son, you have always been with me, and you know that all that I have is yours. It is right that we celebrate, and give thanks; for your brother was dead, and is alive again, was lost, but now is found."

Except you be converted, and become as a little child, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. The Son of Man is come to save those that are lost: for it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that even the least among you should perish.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, so that whosoever believes in him should not die but have everlasting life. Do you believe this?

Which one of you, planning to build a tower, wouldn't first sit down and estimate the cost, making sure there was enough money to finish it? Otherwise you might lay the foundation, and then be forced to abandon the project. Those who had been observing your progress would laugh at you, and say: "He began to build, but now he is bankrupt."

A king who wants to wage war must first sit down with his military advisors to consider whether his army of ten thousand is capable of defeating the enemy's force of thirty thousand. If his advisors see no chance of victory, he will have to send his ambassadors out to meet the enemy, and attempt to negotiate peace before the battle begins.

Thus you must first examine what you consider as your own: family, money, earthly possessions. Unless you are willing to count the cost, and make a total commitment, even of these things, you cannot truly follow me.

Let me remind you: the person who is diligent in small things will also be trusted with much; and the person who is dishonest with little things will also be dishonest with much. If you can't be trusted with earthly riches, how can you be trusted with spiritual riches? And if you haven't been faithful with what belongs to another, who will offer you riches of your own?

I send you out as sheep among wolves: so be as wise as serpents, but harmless as doves.

You have seen how the kings and rulers of the earth exercise their authority, and lord it over the poor that are beneath them. This is not true for you who belong to the kingdom of God. Whoever would be great among you, must first be your servant. And whoever of you would be the greatest, must first be servant of all. Even so I, the Messiah, came not to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.

Continue in the light of my word: then you are truly my disciples.

Don't be like the falsely pious, inventing laws and ordinances. They glory in their rules, and don't follow even one of them. They lay burdens of legalism on the necks of their followers, while they wouldn't dream of observing such rules. They go to great lengths to be seen, wearing extravagant clothing, behaving with great ceremony; they love to sit at the head tables and on the front row. They love to be called esteemed and learned teacher. But you shouldn't be called esteemed or master; for you have only one master, and you are all his brothers and sisters.

Refrain from calling men your spiritual father; for you have one Father in heaven. Neither allow anyone to call you learned teacher; for there is one teacher, Christ. The one who is greatest among you must first be your servant; and all those who humble themselves will be exalted.

When the Messiah returns in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, he will sit on the throne of his heavenly glory. Before him will be gathered all nations; and he will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. The sheep he will set on his right hand, and the goats on his left.

Then the King will say to those on his right hand: "Come, blessed by my Father; enter into the inheritance of the kingdom, prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you offered me food. I was thirsty, and you brought me cold water to drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me in. I was without clothes, and you clothed me. I was ill, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me."

Then the righteous will answer in amazement: "Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger, and give you shelter; or needing clothes, and clothe you? Did we ever see you will, and take care of you; or in prison, and visit you?"

The King will reply: "Truly, I tell you now, inasmuch as you have done these things for the least of my brothers and sisters, you have done the same for me."

But to the ones on his left, the King will say: "Depart from me! For I was hungry, and you gave me no food. I was thirsty, and you offered me nothing to drink. I was a stranger, and you turned me away. I was naked, and you gave me no clothes. I was sick, yet you didn't care for me. I was in prison, but you didn't visit me."

Then they will answer him: "Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not comfort you?" The King will answer: "Truly I say to you, inasmuch as you have failed to do these things for the least of my brothers and sisters, you have failed to do them for me."

These then will be sent away into eternal darkness, but the righteous will be ushered in to the place of life.

You call me master and Lord, and you are correct, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and master, am willing to be your lowest servant, then you too should be willing to serve one another. I have given you an example; you should do the same as I have done for you.

There is a great harvest before you; but, sadly, the laborers are few. Pray to the Lord of the harvest that he will send more laborers to collect his harvest. No one who puts his hand to the plough and then looks back is suitable for the kingdom of God.

You who believe in me will do the same works that I do, and greater; for I must return to my Father in Heaven. If you wish to serve me, follow me; and where I am, there you, my servant, will be as well, and honored by my Father.

Go announce: "The kingdom of heaven has come to you."

Heal the sick, restore the lepers to health; raise the dead; cast out devils! Remember what I have told you: "Freely you have received this new life. Freely give!"

If you are not for me, you are against me; and they that do not gather with me scatter.

Whenever you are invited into a house, offer a blessing, and say: "Peace be to this house." If those in the house be for peace, your blessing will be accepted, and they will be benefited. If not, the benefits of your blessing will return to you.

Don't hesitate to accept hospitality, yet remain purposeful, and resist wandering about aimlessly. Enjoy whatever food and drink is offered you, for one that labors is worthy of his wages.

Those who receive the person I send out with this message, also receive me, and they that receive me receive the Father who sent me.

Be warned: there are some who would attempt to silence your voices; who would take you to court, and deal unfairly with you, even seek your imprisonment. Because of my message, you will be called to testify before those who do not believe: rulers, governors, and kings.

If you are accused and brought to court, don't fear for your lack of words. They will be given to you in that instant. You need not rely on your words alone, for the Spirit of your Father will speak through you. Remember that in the earthly kingdom no servant is greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you, punishing you for my cause, not realizing who it was that sent me into the world. If, however, they accept and follow my message, they will accept and follow yours as well.

If I had not come with the message of truth, the inhabitants of the world would not have been aware of their failings and sinful behavior. Now they are unable to hide behind their former ignorance of the truth. If I had not performed such mighty miracles among them, they would not have realized their shortcomings. But now those who have rejected the truth have seen the miracles, and hate me and my Father. This is come to pass, that the prophecy might be fulfilled: "They hated me without a cause."

It is a fire that I have come to bring upon the earth. How I long to see it ablaze! Did you imagine that I had come to bring calm and tranquility to earth? No, I tell you, I have come to bring division: For from now on there will be five in one house, divided on what they should believe, three against two, and two against three. When you are confronted by the world's hatred, remember how it hated me before. And when they persecute you in one place, move on to the next. You will not have reached all the cities of the world before the Messiah returns. If a city refuses to accept you, or listen to your message, shake the dust of that city from your feet as you leave. Believe me, in the day of the final judgment, it will have been better to be from the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than from that city.

Whoever hears the words that you speak, hears me; and those that despise you, because of your true words, despise me. In rejecting me, they reject the Father who sent me. Endure the criticism of skeptics and doubters for my name's sake. Stand firm; in so doing, you will be saved.

These words I have spoken to you, that in me, and in following my words, you might find peace. In the world you will have pain and trouble; but be happy, for I have overcome the world.

And this is life eternal: That they might know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have glorified you on earth by completing the work that you gave me to do. Now, Father, reveal my glory as I stand in your presence, the glory I had wit you since before the world began. I have revealed you to those that you gave me out of the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have accepted your eternal words. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. I have faithfully delivered to them the words that you gave me; they have believed them, and have come to know in their hearts that I have come from God, sent by you to them.

I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me; for they truly are yours. All of these who have believed in me are yours; and they do honor me. I am returning to you in heaven; but those that believe in me remain behind. Father, keep them by the power of your name; that they all may be one, as we are one.

While I was with them in the world, I kept them by the power that you gave me; I guarded them, and not one was lost, except for the son of destruction, that the scripture might be fulfilled. Now I am coming to you; but I am requesting these things while I am still in the world, that they might experience and receive the full revelation of what is theirs.

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, because they are no longer children of this dark and dying world, even as I am not. I am not asking that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them safe from the evil one; for they are no more children of darkness than I am. Make them holy by your truth; for your word is truth.

As you have sent me into the world, so I send them into the world. And for their sakes I consecrate myself, that they may be made holy, and grow in truth. I do not pray for these only, but also for the future believers, who will come to believe in me because of the testimony that they give. Let them all be of one heart and mind, just as you and I are one: that as you are in me, and I in you, they will be in us; and the world will know that you sent me.

I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and you in me, being perfected into one, that by this the world will fully understand that you have sent me, and have loved them as much as you have loved me. May they one day be with me where I am, beholding my glory, which you have lovingly given me since the foundation of the world.

Father of goodness and truth, the world has not known you; but I have known you, and these who believe in me know that it is you who sent me. I have revealed you to them, and will continue to reveal you to them, that the love you have for me may dwell in their hearts, and that I may dwell there as well. So be it.