1. On a sabbath he went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.
2. In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy.
3. Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?”
4. But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him.
5. Then he said to them, “Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?”
6. But they were unable to answer his question.
7. He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
8. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
9. and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.
10. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.
11. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”