Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Matthaeum – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew

Matthew 22 : 1-14

In illo tempore : Loquebatur Jesus principibus sacerdotum et pharisaeis in parabolis, dicens : Simile factum est regnum caelorum homini regi, qui fecit nuptias filio suo. Et misit servos suos vocare invitatos ad nuptias, et nolebant venire.

Iterum misit alios servos, dicens : Dicite invitatis : Ecce, prandium meum paravi, tauri mei et altilia occisa sunt, et omnia parata : venite ad nuptias.

Illi autem neglexerunt : et abierunt, alius in villam suam, alius vero ad negotiationem suam : reliqui vero tenuerunt servos ejus, et contumeliis affectos occiderunt. Rex autem cum audisset, iratus est : et, missis exercitibus suis, perdidit homicidas illos et civitatem illorum succendit.

Tunc ait servis suis : Nuptiae quidem paratae sunt, sed, qui invitati erant, non fuerunt digni. Ite ergo ad exitus viarum et, quoscumque inveneritis, vocate ad nuptias. Et egressi servis ejus in vias, congregaverunt omnes, quos invenerunt, malos et bonos : et impletae sunt nuptiae discumbentium.

Intravit autem rex, ut videret discumbentes, et vidit ibi hominem non vestitum veste nuptiali. Et ait illi : Amice, quomodo huc intrasti non habens vestem nuptialem? At ille obmutuit. Tunc dixit rex ministris : Ligatis manibus et pedibus ejus, mittite eum in tenebras exteriores : ibi erit fletus et stridor dentium.

Multi enim sunt vocati, pauci vero electi.

English translation

At that time, Jesus spoke to the chief priests and the Pharisees in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who made a marriage for his son, and he sent his servants, to call those who were invited to the marriage, and they would not come.”

“Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell them that they were invited. Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my cows and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready, all of you come to the marriage.”

“But they neglected, and went their ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise, and the rest laid hands on his servants, and having treated them with contempt, put them to death. But when the king had heard of it, he was angry, and sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers, and burnt the city.”

“Then he said to his servants, ‘The marriage indeed is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Therefore, go to the highways and find as many as you can find, and call them to the marriage.’ And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all who they found, both bad and good, and the marriage was filled with guests.”

“And the king went in to see the guests, and he saw there a man who had not worn a wedding garment, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in, not having a wedding garment?’ But he was silent. 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.”

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”