The Gospel of Thomas, verse 64
Jesus said,
A man was receiving guests. When he had prepared the dinner, he sent his servant to invite the guests. The servant went to the first and said, "My master invites you." The first replied, "Some merchants owe me money; they are coming to me tonight. I have to go and give them instructions. Please excuse me from dinner."
The servant went to another and said, "My master has invited you." The second said to the servant, "I have bought a house, and I have been called away for a day. I shall have no time."
The servant went to another and said, "My master invites you." The third said to the servant, "My friend is to be married, and I am to arrange the banquet. I shall not be able to come. Please excuse me from dinner."
The servant went to another and said, "My master invites you." The fourth said to the servant, "I have bought an estate, and I am going to collect the rent. I shall not be able to come. Please excuse me."
The servant returned and said to his master, "Those whom you invited to dinner have asked to be excused." The master said to his servant, "Go out on the streets and bring back whomever you find to come to dinner."
A man was receiving guests. When he had prepared the dinner, he sent his servant to invite the guests. The servant went to the first and said, "My master invites you." The first replied, "Some merchants owe me money; they are coming to me tonight. I have to go and give them instructions. Please excuse me from dinner."
The servant went to another and said, "My master has invited you." The second said to the servant, "I have bought a house, and I have been called away for a day. I shall have no time."
The servant went to another and said, "My master invites you." The third said to the servant, "My friend is to be married, and I am to arrange the banquet. I shall not be able to come. Please excuse me from dinner."
The servant went to another and said, "My master invites you." The fourth said to the servant, "I have bought an estate, and I am going to collect the rent. I shall not be able to come. Please excuse me."
The servant returned and said to his master, "Those whom you invited to dinner have asked to be excused." The master said to his servant, "Go out on the streets and bring back whomever you find to come to dinner."
