Matthew 22:1-14

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

22 And Jesus answering, spoke again in parables to them, saying:

² The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who made a marriage for his son.

³ And he sent his servants, to call them that were invited to the marriage; and they would not come.

⁴ Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my calves and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come ye to the marriage.

⁵ But they neglected, and went their own ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise.

⁶ And the rest laid hands on his servants, and having treated them contumeliously, put them to death.

⁷ But when the king had heard of it, he was angry, and sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city.

⁸ Then he saith to his servants: The marriage indeed is ready; but they that were invited were not worthy.

⁹ Go ye therefore into the highways; and as many as you shall find, call to the marriage.

¹⁰ And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they found, both bad and good: and the marriage was filled with guests.

¹¹ And the king went in to see the guests: and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment.

¹² And he saith to him: Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? But he was silent.

¹³ Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

¹⁴ For many are called, but few are chosen.