liberty, if he observed the command
which I gave him; and he observed it,
and besides has done a good work
to my vineyard, which has exceedingly
pleased me.

17 Wherefore, for this work
which he hath done, I will make
him my heir together with my
son; because that when he saw
what was good, he neglected it
not, but did it.

18 This design of the lord both
his son and his friends approved,
namely, that his servant should be
heir together with his son.

19 Not long after this the master
of the family calling together, his
friends, sent from his supper several
kinds of food to that servant.

20 Which when he had received,
he took so much of them as was
sufficient for himself, and divided
the rest among his fellow-servants.

21 Which when they had received,
they rejoiced; and wished that
he might find yet greater favour
with his lord, for what he had
done to them.

22 When his lord heard all these
things, he was again filled with
great joy: and calling again his
friends and his son together, he
related to them what his servant
had done with the meats which he
had sent unto him.

23 They therefore so much the
more assented to the master of the
household; and he ought to make
that servant his heir together with
his son.

24 I said unto him, sir, I know
not these similitudes, neither can
I understand them, unless you
expound them unto me. I will,
says he, expound, all things unto
thee whatsoever I have talked with
thee, or shown unto thee.

25 Keep the commandments of
the Lord and thou shalt be approved,
and shall be written in the number
of those that keep his commandments.
But if besides those things which
the Lord hath commanded, thou shalt
add some good thing; thou shall
purchase to thyself a greater dignity,
and be in more favour with the Lord
than thou shouldst otherwise have been.

26 If therefore thou shalt keep
the commandments of the Lord,
and shalt add to them these stations,
thou shall rejoice; but especially
if thou shalt keep them according
to my commands.

27 I said unto him, sir, whatsoever
thou shall command me, I will observe;
for I know that thou wilt be with me.
I will, said he, be with thee who hast
taken up such a resolution; and I will
be with all those who purpose in like
manner.

28 This fast, saith he, whilst
thou dost also observe the
commandments of the Lord, is
exceeding good; therefore thus
shalt thou keep it.

29 First of all, take