12

Then he said also to the person who had invited him, When thou makest a dinner, or a supper, call not thy friends nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor rich neighbors; lest they also invite thee again, and a recompence 13 be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: But thou shalt be remunerated at the resurrection of the just.

15

And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the king16 dom of God.* Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and invited 17 many And sent his servant at supper-time

to say to them that were invited, Come, for all 18 things are now ready.† And they all, as one, began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it. I pray thee have 19 me excused. Another said, I have bought

five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I 20 pray thee have me excused. And another said,

I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot 21 come. Then the servant came, and shewed his lord these things. And 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 hither the poor, and the

* That is, in the reign of the Messiah.

+ This parable was spoken with reference to the Jews, who were rejected for their unbelief, and to the calling of the Gentile heathen world. The offers of the gospel are free to all-all are invited and urged to accept salvation.

22 maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Sir, it is done as thou hast 23 commanded, and yet there is room. And the master said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to 24 come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, that none of those men who were invited, shall taste of my supper. 25 And there went great multitudes with him : 26 and he turned, and said unto them, If any one come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot 27 be my disciple.* And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be 28 my disciple. For which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he has sufficient to finish 29 it? Lest perhaps, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that be30 hold it, begin to mock him, 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 be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty 32 thousand? Or while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an embassy, and desireth 33 peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.t

*See chap. viii. 21. also Mark viii. 34. Mat. xvi. 24. †This had more immediate reference to the first Christians. Yet all are obliged to practise the self-denying duties, and in many respects to make sacrifices in the cause of religion.

34 Salt is good but if the

35 savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is

neither fit for the land, nor
hill: but men cast it out.

to hear, let him hear.

salt have lost his

yet for the dungHe that hath ears

1

CHAP. XV.

THEN drew near unto him all the publi2 cans and sinners to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

3

And he spake this parable unto them, say4 ing, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go 5 after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his 6 shoulders rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for 7 I have found my sheep which was lust. I say unto you, that there will be joy also in heaven over one sinner that repenteth,* more than over ninety and nine just persons who 8 need no repentance. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, 9 and seek diligently till she find it? And when

*This is one of those texts of scripture, which are not to be construed in a strictly literal sense. The meaning here is, that the reformation of a sinner is highly acceptable to God, and gives great joy to the angels of heaven,

she hath found it, she calleth her friends and neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 I declare to you, there is joy also 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 belongs to me. And he divided to each his liv13 ing. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, and made a journey into a far country, and there wasted his sub14 stance in riotous living. And when he had

spent all, there arose a severe famine in that 15 land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed 16 swine. And he would have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: for no 17 man gave unto him. And when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father have bread enough and to spare, 18 while I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 and am no more worthy to be called thy son: 20 make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when

* This is a most beautiful and instructive parable; while it shews the folly and thoughtlessness of men, it displays the divine compassion; and teaches that God is ready to pardon the penitent, returning sinner, who sees and forsakes the error of his ways.

he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his 21 neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be 22 called thy son. But the father said to his ser

vants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes 23 on his feet. And bring hither the fatted calf, 24 and kill it; and let us eat and rejoice: For

this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to 25 rejoice. Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew nigh to the house, 26 he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things 27 meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother

is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him in health. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in there

fore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering, said to his father, Lo, these many years I have served thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment; and yet thou never ravest me a kid, that I might 30 rejoice with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, who hath wasted thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted 31 calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art 32 ever with me and all that I have is thine. It is

proper that we should rejoice, and be glad : for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.