Luke 14:9-19

9 The host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give your seat to this other person.' Embarrassed, you will take your seat in the least important place.

10 Instead, when you receive an invitation, go and sit in the least important place. When your host approaches you, he will say, ‘Friend, move up here to a better seat.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests.

11 All who lift themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be lifted up."

12 Then Jesus said to the person who had invited him, " When you host a lunch or dinner, don't invite your friends, your brothers and sisters, your relatives, or rich neighbors. If you do, they will invite you in return and that will be your reward.

13 Instead, when you give a banquet, invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind.

14 And you will be blessed because they can't repay you. Instead, you will be repaid when the just are resurrected."

15 When one of the dinner guests heard Jesus' remarks, he said to Jesus, "Happy are those who will feast in God's kingdom."

16 Jesus replied, " A certain man hosted a large dinner and invited many people.

17 When it was time for the dinner to begin, he sent his servant to tell the invited guests, ‘Come! The dinner is now ready.'

18 One by one, they all began to make excuses. The first one told him, ‘I bought a farm and must go and see it. Please excuse me.'

19 Another said, ‘I bought five teams of oxen, and I'm going to check on them. Please excuse me.'