With a father's heart, God bore with His people. He pleaded with them by mercies given and mercies withdrawn. Patiently He set their sins before them, and in forbearance waited for their acknowledgment. Prophets and messengers were sent to urge God's claim upon the husbandmen; but instead of being welcomed, they were treated as enemies. The husbandmen persecuted and killed them. God sent still other messengers, but they received the same treatment as the first, only that the husbandmen showed still more determined hatred.

Med en faders hjerte bar Gud over med sit folk. Han talte indtrængende til dem ved at skænke dem sine rige gaver eller ved at tilbageholde dem. Med tålmodighed foreholdt han dem deres synder og ventede langmodigt på, at de skulle indrømme dem. Han sendte profeter og budbærere for at vise dem, hvad han krævede af dem som vingårdsmænd, men i stedet for at blive budt velkommen blev de behandlet som fjender Vingårdsmændene forfulgte og dræbte dem. Gud sendte atter andre sendebud, men de fik samme skæbne som de første, kun med den forskel, at vingårdsmændene viste endnu større had.