Matthew 22:1-10

GOD’S WORD Translation

A Story about a Wedding Reception

22 Again Jesus used stories as illustrations when he spoke to them. He said, ² “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who planned a wedding for his son. ³ He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the wedding, but they refused to come. ⁴ He sent other servants to tell the people who had been invited, ‘I’ve prepared dinner. My bulls and fattened calves have been butchered. Everything is ready. Come to the wedding!’

⁵ “But they paid no attention and went away. Some went to work in their own fields, and others went to their businesses. ⁶ The rest grabbed the king’s servants, mistreated them, and then killed them.

⁷ “The king became angry. He sent his soldiers, killed those murderers, and burned their city.

⁸ “Then the king said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited don’t deserve the honor. ⁹ Go where the roads leave the city. Invite everyone you find to the wedding.’ ¹⁰ The servants went into the streets and brought in all the good people and all the evil people they found. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.