| Matthew: 22 |
1 THEN JESUS SPOKE to them again in parables: 'The kingdom of Heaven is like this. 2 There was a king who prepared a feast for his son's wedding; 3 but when he sent his servants to summon the guests he had invited, they would not come. 4 He sent others again, telling them to say to the guests, "See now! I have prepared this feast for you. I have had my bullocks and fatted beasts slaughtered; everything is ready; come to the wedding at once." 5 But they took no notice; one went off to his farm, another to his business, 6 and the others seized the servants, attacked them brutally, and killed them. 7 The king was furious; he sent troops to kill those murderers and set their town on fire. 8 Then he said to his servants, "The wedding-feast is ready; but the guests I invited did not deserve the honour. 9 Go out to the main thoroughfares, and invite everyone you can find to the wedding." 10 The servants went out into the streets, and collected all they could find, good and bad alike. So the hall was packed with guests.
11 'When the king came in to see the company at table, he observed one man who was not dressed for a wedding. 12 "My friend," said the king, "how do you come to be here without your wedding clothes?" He had nothing to say. 13 The king then said to his attendants, "Bind him hand and foot; turn him out into the dark, the place of wailing and grinding of teeth." 14 For though many are invited, few are chosen.'
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| Luke: 14 |
15 One of the company, after hearing all this, said to him, 'Happy the man who shall sit at the feast in the kingdom of God!' 16 Jesus answered, 'A man was giving a big dinner party and had sent out many invitations. 17 At dinner-time he sent his servant with a message for his guests, "Please come, everything is now ready." They began one and all to excuse themselves. 18 The first said, "I have bought a piece of land, and I must go and look over it; please accept my apologies." 19 The second said, "I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am on my way to try them out; please accept my apologies." 20 The next said, "I have just got married and for that reason I cannot come." 21 When the servant came back he reported this to his master. The master of the house was angry and said to him, "Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town, and bring me in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame." 22 The servant said, "Sir, your orders have been carried out and there is still room." 23 The master replied, "Go out on to the highways and along the hedgerows and make them come in; I want my house to be full. 24 I tell you that not one of those who were invited shall taste my banquet." '
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