1
And it came to pass that I, Zenos, spoke again another parable in prophecy, saying: And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard had two sons, and the first was selfish, and would eat at foreign tables, learning the ways of idolaters and eating unclean food.
2
And the second was faithful and did only eat at his father’s table, and there in his father’s house he was permitted to remain.
3
And unto the faithful son did the Lord of the vineyard say: Let thy garments always be white and let not oil be wanting for thine head.
4
And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard made for a banquet and invited all, even the travelers and strangers;
5
But the unfaithful son was told he should not come, not of his deed but by the wounding of his pride, and so he went away in shame;
6
Therefore, he did go about telling false rumors about his Father, the Lord of the vineyard.
7
And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard hired a great number of laborers to work in his vineyard.
8
And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard did gather the laborers taking them into the midst of his vineyard (pardes), yet he told them not what their wage should be by the work there, and this that the they might not be neglectful;
9
And it came to pass that when the evening was come the Lord of the vineyard did call each one of them, asking: Where within my vineyard didst thou labor?
10
And it came to pass that one answered unto him, saying: I labored in the east of the garden under a certain tree, and the Lord of the vineyard said: Unto thee shall be given a single gold piece.
11
And unto another who had labored in the west part of the garden under another tree, he said: Unto thee shall be given two hundred gold pieces;
12
And thus it was throughout all of his servants, each being given that which they were due.
13
And it came to pass that his servants came unto him saying: Why didst thou not say unto us the price of hire within thy vineyard?
14
But the Lord of the vineyard answered them saying: How then should my vineyard be cared for?
15
Wouldst not my servants only look after that part of my vineyard that giveth the greatest reward? And the rest of my vineyard would fall then to the wayside and should surely die?
16
But if thou shall be about my business, I shall see who doth care for the most precious parts of my vineyard, and when evening doth come I shall reward them.
17
And it came to pass that there was one among them who worked with much vigor, greater so than all the others, and yea even more than he was tasked.
18
And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard went forth and took this the good servant by the hand and walked about the vineyard and he did talk with him.
19
And it came to pass that when evening came, all the laborers came to the Lord of the vineyard to receive the reward of their labors;
20
And that good and faithful servant came with them, and the Lord of the vineyard paid him a full day’s wage.
21
And it came to pass that the other laborers complained one to another, saying: Behold we have worked from morn until eve while this that one hast worked but a few hours, and yet the master has given him a full day's pay?
22
And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard said: Who art thou to envy?
23
Doth not the Law say: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s?
24
So too didst my good and faithful servant do more in a few hours than thou didst, who toiled all day.
25
And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent word to all saying: Wash ye, make ye clean, and anoint yourselves, and wash your clothes and prepare yourselves for the banquet; yet he did not appoint a time.
26
And it came to pass that the faithful among them made themselves ready and waited at the entrance of the vineyard.
27
And these did say: In the Master’s vineyard, nothing will be wanting, and there need be no signs of preparation, yet the feast may be at any time.
28
And it came to pass that the foolish among them did prepare themselves not, for these did listen to the pride of the wicked son who set forth to place his name above that of the Lord of the vineyard.
29
And it came to pass that these foolish did say: There cannot be a great banquet without much commotion and trouble, and the gathering of stores and provisions;
30
Therefore, we need not disturb ourselves until we see the signs; therefore, we shall be watchful of the signs that we may know.
31
And it came to pass that they joined themselves with their fellows, and thought not too feed the poor, but went away seeking after signs, and took no thought of the word of the Lord of the vineyard.
32
And each went about their way, and the foolish did make much gossip about those that stood ready, and did seek unto themselves the signs and wonders, reading much into nothing.
33
And it came to pass suddenly, the word of the Lord of the vineyard: Let all come to the banquet!
34
And the servants of the Master hastened the wise and the faithful and pressed them to come at the bidding of the Lord of the vineyard.
35
Then those that had prepared themselves, came in their honor and their glory, and those fools that had not prepared themselves, came in their pollution and uncleanliness.
36
And the faithful servant came last, for he stood ready and ensured that all were present and presented before the Lord of the vineyard.
37
And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard did rejoice over the wise and faithful that had done according to his bidding, and who, moreover, had honored the beauty of His vineyard;
38
And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard was angry with those who had taken no heed of his word, and who had polluted his vineyard with all the uncleanliness that clung about their garments, and who had treated it with contempt.
39
And it came to pass that these cried out saying: Let us in, for we went seeking thee, we looked for thy signs and wonders!
40
Then the Lord of the vineyard came saying: Those that have prepared themselves for my presence, and were ready when I called, shall come and feast at my table, and those that did not prepare themselves shall not eat at the banquet;
41
And those that did not, but listened instead to my foolish son, were not prepared and therefore are not worthy.
42
And it came to pass that the wise among them thought that they might depart, for these were in fear of the great wrath of the Lord of the vineyard,
43
And it came to pass that the Master replied: No, but ye shall stay in my vineyard, for ye are worthy of it,
44
Yea, sit and eat at the banquet table; and eat and drink resting, while these stand upon their feet, and are smitten, and look on, distressed, and let thy garments at all times be white.
45
And it came to pass that after I had finished speaking, I stood in wonder over the banquet in the vineyard.
46
And it came to pass that as I stood wondering, the heavens were again opened unto me, and there I saw as it were a new heaven and a new earth, and I didst behold that the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.
47
And I saw as it were Ziona, the holy city, coming down from Elohimb out of heaven, and Shekinahc prepared as a bride adorned for Her husbandd.
48
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying: Behold, the temple of YHVHe is with Adamf, and YHVH shall dwell with them, and they shall be his people;
49
And there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
50
And I saw as it were They that sat upon the throne saying: Behold, I make all things new; therefore prepare thyselves for that which is to come; So mote it be; even so, Amen, and Amen.
51
And the vision was closed unto me, and the angel of YHVH said unto me: All these things that thou hast seen are of the heavens,
52
For all things happen in the realm of the heavens at the first, and then upon the earth, that all things be as one.
53
Therefore I, Zenos, say unto thee, prepare ye for the great and dreadful day of YHVH!
54
Yea, keep thy garments clean and stand ready for the day when the earth and the heavens shall again be one.