"The Kingdom of Heaven," he said, "may be compared to a king who gave a banquet in honor of his son's wedding.

He sent his servants to call those who had been invited to the banquet, but they were unwilling to come.

A second time he sent some servants, with orders to say to those who had been invited 'I have prepared my breakfast, my cattle and fat beasts are killed and everything is ready; come to the banquet.'

Then he said to his servants 'The banquet is prepared, but those who were invited were not worthy.

So go to the cross-roads, and invite everyone you find to the banquet.'

But while they were on their way to buy it, the bridegroom came; and the bridesmaids who were ready went in with him to the banquet, and the door was shut.

People will come from East and West, and from North and South, and take their places at the banquet in the Kingdom of God.

"When you are invited by any one to a wedding banquet, do not seat yourself in the best place, for fear that some one of higher rank should have been invited by your host;