Parable of the banquet’s guests
14 15Upon hearing these words, one of those at the table said to Jesus: 
—Happy are those who eat at the banquet in the kingdom of God!
16Jesus replied: 
—A man once gave a feast and invited many guests. 17When it was time for the feast he sent his servant to tell those he had invited to come, for everything was ready. 18But all alike began to make excuses. The first said: ‘Please excuse me. I must go and see the piece of land I have just bought.’ 19Another said: ‘I am sorry, but I am on my way to try out the five yoke of oxen I have just bought.’ 20Still another said, ‘How can I come when I have just married?’
21—The servant returned alone and reported this to his master. Upon hearing the account, the master of the house flew into a rage and ordered his servant: ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 
22—The servant reported after a while: ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out, but there is still room.’ 23The master said: ‘Go out to the highways and country lanes and force people to come in, to make sure my house is full. 24I tell you, none of those invited will have a morsel of my feast.’

THE CONCISE BIBLE
Christian Community Bible 
Catholic Pastoral Edition

Copyright © 2002 by Claretian Publications
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Originally published by
Ediciones Mensajero, Spain