He said, A man made a great supper and invited many people. When it was supper time he sent his servant to say to those who were invited, Come. All things are now ready. One after another, each one made an excuse. The first said, I have bought some land and I must go to see it. Please have me excused. Another said, I just purchased five yoke of oxen and I must go to claim them. Please have me excused. Another said, I have just married and cannot come.
The servant returned and reported these things to his lord. Then the master of the house became angry and said, Go out into the streets and lanes of the city. Gather the poor, the maimed, the halt, and the blind and bring them here.
The servant returned and said, Lord, it is done as you commanded, and there is still room. The lord said, Go out, then, into all the highways and compel them to come in so my house may be filled. For I say to you, None of those who were invited shall taste of my supper.
Now there were great multitudes that followed along with Jesus. He turned around and said to them, If any man comes to me, and does not forsake his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yes, and his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, to see whether you have what is needed to finish it? Lest, after you have laid the foundation, and are not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock you and say, This man began to build but was not able to finish.
Or what king, contemplating war against another king, does not first sit and consult whether he is able, with ten thousand, to meet him that comes against him with twenty thousand? If not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends his ambassadors to discuss conditions of peace.
So likewise, any of you that does not forsake all he has, cannot be my disciple. Salt is good: but if the salt has lost its savour, with what can it be seasoned? It is not fit for the land, yet not ready for the dunghill; so men cast it aside. He that has ears to hear, let him hear.
15 Seeing how Jesus was often surrounded by publicans and sinners who listened closely to His sayings, the Pharisees and scribes murmured, This man receives sinners and even eats with them. Thus, Jesus spoke another parable.
He said, What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. When he comes home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me. I have found my sheep which was lost. I say to you, there is more joy in heaven over one sinner that repents, than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
What woman, having ten pieces of silver, if she loses one piece, does not light a candle, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me. I have found the piece that was lost. I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.