16
Jesus said to him, "There was once a man who was giving a great feast to which he invited many people.
17
When it was time for the feast, he sent his servant to tell his guests, "Come, everything is ready!'
18
But they all began, one after another, to make excuses. The first one told the servant, "I have bought a field and must go and look at it; please accept my apologies.'
19
Another one said, "I have bought five pairs of oxen and am on my way to try them out; please accept my apologies.'
20
Another one said, "I have just gotten married, and for that reason I cannot come.'
21
The servant went back and told all this to his master. The master was furious and said to his servant, "Hurry out to the streets and alleys of the town, and bring back the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.'
22
Soon the servant said, "Your order has been carried out, sir, but there is room for more.'
23
So the master said to the servant, "Go out to the country roads and lanes and make people come in, so that my house will be full.
24
I tell you all that none of those who were invited will taste my dinner!' "
25
Once when large crowds of people were going along with Jesus, he turned and said to them,
26
"Those who come to me cannot be my disciples unless they love me more than they love father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and themselves as well.
1