16. Jesus replied, "A certain man was preparing a big dinner. He invited many guests.
17. Then the day of the dinner arrived. He sent his servant to those who had been invited. The servant told them, 'Come. Everything is ready now.'
18. "But they all had the same idea. They began to make excuses. The first one said, 'I have just bought a field. I have to go and see it. Please excuse me.'
19. "Another said, 'I have just bought five pairs of oxen. I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'
20. "Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'
21. "The servant came back and reported this to his master. "Then the owner of the house became angry. He ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the town. Bring in those who are poor. Also bring those who can't walk, the blind and the disabled.'
22. " 'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done. But there is still room.'
23. "Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads. Go out to the country lanes. Make the people come in. I want my house to be full.
24. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my dinner.' "
25. Large crowds were traveling with Jesus. He turned and spoke to them. He said,
26. "Anyone who comes to me must hate his father and mother. He must hate his wife and children. He must hate his brothers and sisters. And he must hate even his own life. Unless he does, he can't be my disciple.
27. Anyone who doesn't carry his cross and follow me can't be my disciple.
28. "Suppose someone wants to build a tower. Won't he sit down first and figure out how much it will cost? Then he will see whether he has enough money to finish it.
29. Suppose he starts building and is not able to finish. Then everyone who sees what he has done will laugh at him.
30. They will say, 'This fellow started to build. But he wasn't able to finish.'