15
On hearing this, one of the people at the table with Yeshua said to him, "How blessed are those who eat bread in the Kingdom of God!"
16
But he replied, "Once a man gave a banquet and invited many people.
17
When the time came for the banquet, he sent his slave to tell those who had been invited, `Come! Everything is ready!'
18
But they responded with a chorus of excuses. The first said to him, `I've just bought a field, and I have to go out and see it. Please accept my apologies.'
19
Another said, `I've just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to test them out. Please accept my apologies.'
20
Still another said, `I have just gotten married, so I can't come.'
21
The slave came and reported these things to his master. "Then the owner of the house, in a rage, told his slave, `Quick, go out into the streets and alleys of the city; and bring in the poor, the disfigured, the blind and the crippled!'
22
The slave said, `Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.'
23
The master said to the slave, `Go out to the country roads and boundary walls, and insistently persuade people to come in, so that my house will be full.
24
I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet!'"