The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king, who made a feast when his son was married,

And sent out his servants to get in the guests to the feast: and they would not come.

Again he sent out other servants, with orders to say to the guests, See, I have made ready my feast: my oxen and my fat beasts have been put to death, and all things are ready: come to the feast.

Then he said to his servants, The feast is ready but the guests were not good enough.

Go then to the cross-roads, and get all those whom you see to come to the bride-feast.

And those servants went out into the streets, and got together all those whom they came across, bad and good: and the feast was full of guests.

And while they went to get oil, the master came; and those who were ready went in with him to the feast: and the door was shut.

But they said, Not while the feast is going on, for fear of trouble among the people.

Now at the feast it was the way for the ruler to let free to the people one prisoner, at their selection.