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!' 14 ¹⁶ Jesus answered, 'A man was giving a big dinner party and had sent out many invitations. 14 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. 14 ¹⁸ The first said, "I have bought a piece of land, and I must go and look over it; please accept my apologies." 14 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." 14 ²⁰ The next said, "I have just got married and for that reason I cannot come." 14 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." 14 ²² The servant said, "Sir, your orders have been carried out and there is still room." 14 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. 14 ²⁴ I tell you that not one of those who were invited shall taste my banquet." '