JMNT(i)
16 Yet He said to him, "A certain person (human) was in the process of preparing (making) a great dinner (main meal of the day), and he [had] invited many people.
17 "So he sent off his slave on an errand, at the hour of the dinner, to say to those having been invited, 'Be now progressively coming, because already the results of [our] preparation are ready.'
18 "And then one by one (or: from one [mind or motive]) they all began to proceed in making excuses and to beg off with declining requests. The first one said to him, 'I just bought a field and I continue having necessity of going out to see it. I am now asking you, Have me excused.'
19 "And a different person said, 'I just bought five yokes (= pairs; teams) of oxen (or: cattle), and I am presently on my way to prove them (to examine and test them out), I am now asking you, Have me excused.'
20 "Then still another person said, 'I just married a wife, and because of this, I am unable to come.'
21 "And so the slave, after coming to be alongside, reported back to his owner (master; lord) these [responses]. At that point the master of the house (or: householder), being indignant from the internal fervor of his natural disposition, said to his slave, 'At once go out quickly into the squares and streets of the city and at once bring here the destitute folks as well as crippled, maimed and mutilated people, even blind folks and lame ones!'
22 "And so later, the slave said, 'Sir (or: Master), what you ordered and instructed has happened, and yet there is still a place (= room).
23 "So the owner (lord; master) said to the slave, "At once go out into the roads and fenced areas (or: hedgerows; boundary walls), and at once compel (force) [them] to come in, so that my house may be filled to capacity!
24 "'For I am now saying to you that not even one of the adult men of those having been invited will proceed in having a taste of my dinner.'"