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