6 (NIV) Then he told this
parable: ÒA man had a fig tree, planted in
his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it,
but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took
care of the vineyard, ÔFor three years now I've
been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and
haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up
the soil?Õ 8 ÔSir,Õ the man replied, Ôleave it alone
for one more year, and I'll dig around it and
fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.Õ Ó