Luke 14:7-11 So He went on to tell an illustration (a parable) to the folks having been invited to the meal – as He was holding His attention on how, one after another, they continued choosing (picking out) for themselves the first reclining places (= the most prominent seats that were considered places of honor and importance)

JMNT⁽ⁱ⁾ ⁷ So He went on to tell an illustration (a parable) to the folks having been invited [to the meal] – as He was holding His attention on how, one after another, they continued choosing (picking out) for themselves the first reclining places (= the most prominent seats that were considered places of honor and importance) – while saying to them, ⁸ "Whenever you may be invited (or: called) unto wedding festivities (or: a marriage feast) by someone, you should not recline (= sit down) into the first (= most honorable or important) place, lest at some point there may be a person having been invited by him [who is held] in more honor ([who is] more distinguished) than you, ⁹ "and then, upon coming [up], the person inviting both you and him will proceed saying to you, 'Give [the] place to this person.' And at that point you begin, with shame and disgrace, to continue holding down (= occupying and retaining) the last place (= the place of least honor). ¹⁰ "But instead, whenever you may be invited (or: called), after going on your way, fall back into (= assume a position in) the last (= least distinguished) place, so that, whenever the person having invited you may come, he will proceed saying to you, 'Friend, walk (or: move) on up to a higher (more upward) [position].' At that point it will continue being a manifestation of esteem for you (or: there will proceed being glory on you; it will habitually be a good reputation to you) in the sight and presence of all those reclining back [at the dinner] with you (i.e., all your fellow guests), ¹¹ "because everyone habitually exalting himself (lifting himself up; = promoting himself) will be habitually brought (or: made) low (be progressively humbled; be constantly demoted), and yet the person habitually making and bringing himself low (humbling and demoting himself) will be habitually exalted (lifted up; promoted)."