18
"But they all without exception began to excuse themselves. The first told him, "`I have purchased a piece of land, and must of necessity go and look at it. Pray hold me excused.'
19
"A second pleaded, "`I have bought five yoke of oxen, and am on my way to try them. Pray hold me excused.'
20
"Another said, "`I am just married. It is impossible for me to come.'
21
"So the servant came and brought these answers to his master, and they stirred his anger. "`Go out quickly,' he said, `into the streets of the city--the wide ones and the narrow. You will see poor men, and crippled, blind, lame: fetch them all in here.'
22
"Soon the servant reported the result, saying, "`Sir, what you ordered is done, and there is room still.'
23
"`Go out,' replied the master, `to the high roads and hedge-rows, and compel the people to come in, so that my house may be filled.
24
For I tell you that not one of those who were invited shall taste my dinner.'"
25
On His journey vast crowds attended Him, towards whom He turned and said,
26
"If any one is coming to me who does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes and his own life also, he cannot be a disciple of mine.
27
No one who does not carry his own cross and come after me can be a disciple of mine.
28
"Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not sit down first and calculate the cost, asking if he has the means to finish it? --