The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7 So he said to the vinedresser, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and have not found any. [fn]Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 8 But the vinedresser answered him, ‘Sir, allow it to remain for this year also, and I will dig around it and put manure on it. 9 If it bears [fn]fruit, fine; but if not, yoʋ can cut it down in the coming year.’ ”