22 ¹ THEN JESUS SPOKE to them again in parables: 22 ² 'The kingdom of Heaven is like this. There was a king who prepared a feast for his son's wedding; 22 ³ but when he sent his servants to summon the guests he had invited, they would not come. 22 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." 22 ⁵ But they took no notice; one went off to his farm, another to his business, 22 ⁶ and the others seized the servants, attacked them brutally, and killed them. 22 ⁷ The king was furious; he sent troops to kill those murderers and set their town on fire. 22 ⁸ Then he said to his servants, "The wedding-feast is ready; but the guests I invited did not deserve the honour. 22 ⁹ Go out to the main thoroughfares, and invite everyone you can find to the wedding." 22 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.

22 ¹¹ 'When the king came in to see the company at table, he observed one man who was not dressed for a wedding. 22 ¹² "My friend," said the king, "how do you come to be here without your wedding clothes?" He had nothing to say. 22 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." 22 ¹⁴ For though many are invited, few are chosen.'