REPENT OR PERISH

13 At that time,q some people came and reported to him about the Galileansr whose blood Pilates had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 And heD responded to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were more sinful than all the other Galileans because they suffered these things?t 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well. 4 Or those eighteen that the tower in Siloamu fell on and killed—do you think they were more sinful than all the other people who live in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well.”

THE PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG TREE

6 And he told this parable:v “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none.w 7 He told the vineyard worker, ‘Listen, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down!x Why should it even waste the soil?’y

8 “But he replied to him, ‘Sir,E leave it this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.z 9 Perhaps it will produce fruit next year, but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”