The Parable of the Guests at the Wedding Feast

7 When Jesus noticed how the guests were choosing the places of honor for themselves, he told them a parable: 8 “When yoʋ are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not recline in the place of honor, in case someone more honorable than yoʋ has been invited by yoʋr host. 9 Then the host, who invited you both, will come and [fn]say to yoʋ, ‘Give yoʋr place to this person.’ And with shame yoʋ will begin moving to the least important place. 10 But when yoʋ are invited, go recline in the least important place, so that, when yoʋr host comes, he will say to yoʋ, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then yoʋ will be honored in the presence of [fn]those who are reclining at the table with yoʋ. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

12 Jesus also said to the man who had invited him, “When yoʋ prepare a luncheon or dinner, do not invite yoʋr friends, yoʋr brothers, yoʋr relatives, or yoʋr rich neighbors. Otherwise, they may invite yoʋ in return, and yoʋ will be repaid. 13 But when yoʋ prepare a banquet, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then yoʋ will be blessed. Since they do not have the means to repay yoʋ, yoʋ will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”