7  When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honour at the  table, he told them this parable: 8 ‘When someone invites you to a  wedding feast, do not take the place of honour, for a person more  distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who  invited both of you will come and say to you, “Give this person your  seat.” Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important  place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when  your host comes, he will say to you, “Friend, move up to a better  place.” Then you will be honoured in the presence of all the other  guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those  who humble themselves will be exalted.’

12 Then Jesus said to his  host, ‘When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends,  your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbours; if  you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when  you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,  14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be  repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’