Matthew 22:1-14

Again Jesus used stories as illustrations when he spoke to them. He said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who planned a wedding for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the wedding, but they refused to come. He sent other servants to tell the people who had been invited, ‘I’ve prepared dinner. My bulls and fattened calves have been butchered. Everything is ready. Come to the wedding!’ “But they paid no attention and went away. Some went to work in their own fields, and others went to their businesses. The rest grabbed the king’s servants, mistreated them, and then killed them. “The king became angry. He sent his soldiers, killed those murderers, and burned their city. “Then the king said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited don’t deserve the honor. Go where the roads leave the city. Invite everyone you find to the wedding.’ The servants went into the streets and brought in all the good people and all the evil people they found. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. “When the king came to see the guests, he saw a person who was not dressed in the wedding clothes ⌞provided for the guests⌟. He said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without proper wedding clothes?’ “The man had nothing to say. Then the king told his servants, ‘Tie his hands and feet, and throw him outside into the darkness. People will cry and be in extreme pain there.’ “Therefore, many are invited, but few of those are chosen to stay.”