but he answered ¹  his father, ‘Look! These many years I have worked like a slave ²  for you, and I never disobeyed your commands. Yet ³  you never gave me even a goat ⁴  so that I could celebrate with my friends!

Complete my older daughter’s bridal week. ¹  Then we will give you the younger one ²  too, in exchange for seven more years of work.” ³ 

Two years later Absalom’s sheepshearers were in Baal Hazor, ¹  near Ephraim. Absalom invited all the king’s sons.

Esther replied, “If the king is so inclined, ¹  let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

The king replied, “Find Haman quickly so that we can do as Esther requests.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

While they were still speaking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived. They quickly brought Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

You prepare a feast before me ¹  in plain sight of my enemies. You refresh ²  my head with oil; my cup is completely full. ³ 

You will fill up at my table with horses and charioteers, ¹  with warriors and all the soldiers,’ declares the sovereign Lord.

I will put an end to all her celebration: her annual religious festivals, monthly new moon celebrations, and weekly Sabbath festivities – all her appointed festivals.

I tell you, many will come from the east and west to share the banquet ¹  with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ²  in the kingdom of heaven,

And those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all they found, both bad and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

But ¹  a suitable day ²  came, when Herod gave a banquet on his birthday for his court officials, military commanders, and leaders of Galilee.

Then ¹  people ²  will come from east and west, and from north and south, and take their places at the banquet table ³  in the kingdom of God. ⁴ 

When ¹  one of those at the meal with Jesus ²  heard this, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone ³  who will feast ⁴  in the kingdom of God!” ⁵ 

The slave replied, ¹  ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fattened calf ²  because he got his son ³  back safe and sound.’

It was appropriate ¹  to celebrate and be glad, for your brother ²  was dead, and is alive; he was lost and is found.’” ³ 

Now the Jewish feast of Passover ¹  was near, and many people went up to Jerusalem ²  from the rural areas before the Passover to cleanse themselves ritually. ³ 

but said farewell to ¹  them and added, ²  “I will come back ³  to you again if God wills.” ⁴  Then ⁵  he set sail from Ephesus,

Ask your own servants; they can tell you! May my servants find favor in your sight, for we have come ¹  at the time of a holiday. Please provide us – your servants ²  and your son David – with whatever you can spare.” ³ 

Do I eat the flesh of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats? ¹