with him heard these things, he said to him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
16 Then said he to him, A certain man gave a great supper, and invited many:
17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were invited, Come; for all things are now ready.
18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said to him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to try them out: I pray thee have me excused.
20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
21 So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor, and the maimed, and the lame, and the blind.
22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
23 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.
24 For I say to you, That none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.
25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said to them,
26 If any man cometh to me, and hateth not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
27 And whoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he hath sufficient to finish it ?
29 Lest perhaps, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth a delegation, and desireth conditions of peace.
33 So likewise, whoever he is of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
34 Salt is good: but if the salt hath lost its savour, how shall it be seasoned?
35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
CHAP. 15.
Then drew near to him all the tax collectors and sinners to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3 And he spoke this parable to them, saying,
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he loseth one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he findeth it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.
8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she loseth one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she findeth it ? [1]
9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me . And he divided to them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he was longing to fill his belly with the husks that the swine ate: and no man gave to him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have bread enough and to spare, and I am perishing with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
- ↑ pieces...: drachma, here translated a piece of silver, is the eighth part of an ounce, which cometh to seven pence halfpenny, and is equal to the Roman penny
