The kingdom of heaven is made like a man, a king, who made a marriage feast for his son. And he invited many. And at the hour of the supper he sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding, and they would not come. And they all alike began to make excuse. The first said to him: 'I have bought a farm, and I must needs go out and see it; I pray you, hold me excused.' And another said: 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them; I pray you, hold me excused.' And another said: 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' Again he sent other servants, saying: 'Tell those who were invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come to the wedding.'
But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise. And the rest seized his servants, and having treated them shamefully, killed them. But when the king heard it, he was angry; and sending forth his armies, he destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants: 'The wedding is indeed ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the outlets of the highways, into the streets and lanes and cities; and whomever you find, the poor and the feeble and the blind and the lame, call to the wedding.' And the servant said: 'Lord, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.' And the lord said to the servant: 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.'
For I say to you, that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper. And his servants going out into the highways gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good; and the wedding was filled with guests. And the king went in to see the guests; and he saw there a man not clothed with a wedding garment. And he said to him: 'Friend, how did you come in here, not having a wedding garment?' But he was speechless. Then the king said to the ministers: 'Bind his feet and hands, and cast him into the outer darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are called, but few are chosen.