18. “But every one of them began to beg off. The first said to him, ‘I bought a farm, and I’m obligated to go out to see it. I’m asking you to have me excused.’
19. Then another one said, ‘I’ve purchased five teams of oxen, and I’m going to check them out. I’m asking you to have me excused.’
20. Still another said, ‘I’ve married a wife, so I cannot come.’
21. “The slave came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house got angry and said to his slave, ‘Quickly go out into the squares and alleys of the city and bring here the poor, the maimed, the blind, and the lame.’
22. “And the slave said, ‘Master, I have done as you instructed, and still there is room.’
23. “So the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the thoroughfares and fenced areas, and press them to come in so my home may be filled.
24. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my banquet.’”
25. Now great crowds were traveling with Yeshua; and He turned and said to them,
26. “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters—and yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.
27. Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.
28. “For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and figure out the cost, to see if he has enough to finish it?
29. Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and isn’t able to finish everything, all who see it begin to mock him,