Matthew 25:1-30

1“Then 1the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their 2lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were 3prudent. 3For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4but the 4prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. 5Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. 6But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the 5prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were 6ready went in with him to 7the wedding feast; and 8the door was shut. 11Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘9Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 1310Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

14“11For it is just like a man 12about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15To one he gave five 1314talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he 15went on his journey. 16Immediately the one who had received the five 16talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. 17In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. 18But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his 17master’s money.

19“Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and 18settled accounts with them. 20The one who had received the five 19talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ 21His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and 20faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will 21put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your 22master.’

22“Also the one who had received the two 23talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ 23His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and 24faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

24“And the one also who had received the one 25talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. 25And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’

26“But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. 27Then you ought to have put my money 26in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. 28Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’

29“27For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30Throw out the worthless slave into 28the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.