^{7 Ref} And he said to the gardener, See, for three years I have been looking for fruit from this tree, and I have not had any: let it be cut down; why is it taking up space?

^{8 Ref} And he said, Lord, let it be for this year, and I will have the earth turned up round it, and put animal waste on it, to make it fertile:

^{9 Ref} And if, after that, it has fruit, it is well; if not, let it be cut down.