6 He spoke also this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none.
Dicebat autem et hanc similitudinem : Arborem fici habebat quidam plantatam in vinea sua, et venit quaerens fructum in illa, et non invenit.

 7 And he said to the dresser of the vineyard: Behold, for these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down therefore: why cumbereth it the ground?
Dixit autem ad cultorem vineae : Ecce anni tres sunt ex quo venio quaerens fructum in ficulnea hac, et non invenio : succide ergo illam : ut quid etiam terram occupat?

 8 But he answering, said to him: Lord, let it alone this year also, until I dig about it, and dung it.
At ille respondens, dicit illi : Domine dimitte illam et hoc anno, usque dum fodiam circa illam, et mittam stercora,

 9 And if happily it bear fruit: but if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
et siquidem fecerit fructum : sin autem, in futurum succides eam.

 10 And he was teaching in their synagogue on their sabbath.
Erat autem docens in synagoga eorum sabbatis.

 11 And behold there was a woman, who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years: and she was bowed together, neither could she look upwards at all.
Et ecce mulier, quae habebat spiritum infirmitatis annis decem et octo : et erat inclinata, nec omnino poterat sursum respicere.

 12 Whom when Jesus saw, he called her unto him, and said to her: Woman, thou art delivered from thy infirmity.
Quam cum videret Jesus, vocavit eam ad se, et ait illi : Mulier, dimissa es ab infirmitate tua.

 13 And he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
Et imposuit illi manus, et confestim erecta est, et glorificabat Deum.

 14 And the ruler of the synagogue (being angry that Jesus had healed on the sabbath) answering, said to the multitude: Six days there are wherein you ought to work. In them therefore come, and be healed; and not on the sabbath day.
Respondens autem archisynagogus, indignans quia sabbato curasset Jesus, dicebat turbae : Sex dies sunt in quibus oportet operari : in his ergo venite, et curamini, et non in die sabbati.

 15 And the Lord answering him, said: Ye hypocrites, doth not every one of you, on the sabbath day, loose his ox or his ass from the manger, and lead them to water?
Respondens autem ad illum Dominus, dixit : Hypocritae, unusquisque vestrum sabbato non solvit bovem suum, aut asinum a praesepio, et ducit adaquare?

 16 And ought not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
Hanc autem filiam Abrahae, quam alligavit Satanas, ecce decem et octo annis, non oportuit solvi a vinculo isto die sabbati?

 17 And when he said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the things that were gloriously done by him.
Et cum haec diceret, erubescant omnes adversarii ejus : et omnis populus gaudebat in universis, quae gloriosae fiebant ab eo.

At the beginning of the four seasons of the Ecclesial Year, the Ember Days have been instituted by the Church to thank God for blessings obtained during the past year and to implore further graces for the new season. Their importance in the Church was formerly very great. They are fixed on the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday ; after the first Sunday of Lent for Spring after Whitsunday for Summer, after the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross (14th September) for Autumn, and after the Third Sunday of Advent for Winter. They are intended also to consecrate to God the various seasons in nature, and to prepare by penance those who are about to be ordained. Ordinations generally take place on the Ember Days. The faithful ought to pray on these days for good Priests. The Ember Days were once fastdays of obligation.