Luke 14:12-24

12Then he told the man who had invited him, “When you invite people for lunch or dinner, don’t invite only your friends, family, other relatives, or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they will return the favor.

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

14Then you will be blessed because they don’t have any way to pay you back. You will be paid back when those who have God’s approval come back to life.”

15One of those eating with him heard this. So he said to Jesus, “The person who will be at the banquet in God’s kingdom is blessed.”

16Jesus said to him, “A man gave a large banquet and invited many people.

17When it was time for the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who were invited, ‘Come! Everything is ready now.’

18“Everyone asked to be excused. The first said to him, ‘I bought a field, and I need to see it. Please excuse me.’

19Another said, ‘I bought five pairs of oxen, and I’m on my way to see how well they plow. Please excuse me.’

20Still another said, ‘I recently got married, and that’s why I can’t come.’

21“The servant went back to report this to his master. Then the master of the house became angry. He told his servant, ‘Run to every street and alley in the city! Bring back the poor, the handicapped, the blind, and the lame.’

22“The servant said, ‘Sir, what you’ve ordered has been done. But there is still room for more people.’

23“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go to the roads and paths! Urge the people to come to my house. I want it to be full.

24I can guarantee that none of those invited earlier will taste any food at my banquet.’ ”