1. Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying:
2. “The kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.
3. He sent his slaves to summon those who had been invited to the banquet, but they would not come.
4. Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Look! The feast I have prepared for you is ready. My oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.”’
5. But they were indifferent and went away, one to his farm, another to his business.
6. The rest seized his slaves, insolently mistreated them, and killed them.
7. The king was furious! He sent his soldiers, and they put those murderers to death and set their city on fire.
8. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but the ones who had been invited were not worthy.
9. So go into the main streets and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’