“But they made light of it.”—Matt. 22:1-141And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:1‑14)
“YE are slighting the King’s command!
Despising His servants’ call!
Has He spread the feast with His royal hand
And ye care not to come at all?
Are ye going your willful ways?
Shall nothing your heart alarm?
Ah me, ‘tis a pitiful crop you’ll raise,
Poor slaves of the mart and farm.
O, come as a wedding guest,
Poor desolate child of sin!
Go quickly, ye servants, and call the rest,
Compel them to enter in!
Their robe shall be pure and fair,
In the blood of the Lamb made white;
The sinner, the outcast is welcome there,
Arrayed in that vesture bright.
Dare ye tarry till it is too late?
The feast must be largely shared—
Oh, hasten ye in at the narrow gate,
The banquet is all prepared.
The return of the Bridegroom’s near,
The trumpet will shortly sound,
The voice of his coming ye soon shall hear
Where, where will ye then be found?