15
After listening to this teaching, one of His fellow guests said to Him, "Blessed is he who shall feast in God's Kingdom."
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"A man once gave a great dinner," replied Jesus, "to which he invited a large number of guests.
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At dinner-time he sent his servant to announce to those who had been invited, "`Come, for things are now ready.'
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"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.'
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"A second pleaded, "`I have bought five yoke of oxen, and am on my way to try them. Pray hold me excused.'
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"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.'
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"`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.
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For I tell you that not one of those who were invited shall taste my dinner.'"
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On His journey vast crowds attended Him, towards whom He turned and said,