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 groom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were 3prudent. 3For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take extra oil with them; 4but the 4prudent ones took oil in flasks with their lamps. 5Now while the groom was delaying, they all became drowsy and began to sleep. 6But at midnight 5there finally was a shout: ‘Behold, the groom! Come out to meet him.’ 7Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8But the foolish virgins said to the prudent ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 9However, the 6prudent ones answered, ‘No, there most certainly would not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ 10But while they were 7on their way to buy the oil, the groom came, and those who were 8ready went in with him to 9the wedding feast; and 10the door was shut. 11Yet later, the other virgins also came, saying, ‘11Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 1312Be on the alert then, because you do not know the day nor the hour.

14“13For it is just like a man 14about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15To one he gave five 1516talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he 17went on his journey. 16The one who had received the five 18talents immediately went and did business with them, and earned five more talents. 17In the same way the one who had received the two talents earned two more. 18But he who received the one talent went away and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his 19master’s money.

19“Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and 20settled accounts with them. 20The one who had received the five 21talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have earned five more talents.’ 21His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and 22faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will 23put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your 24master.’

22“Also the one who had received the two 25talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have earned two more talents.’ 23His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and 26faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’

24“Now the one who had received the one 27talent also came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed. 25And I was afraid, so I went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you still have what is yours.’

26“But his master answered and said to him, ‘You 28worthless, lazy slave! Did you know that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter seed? 27Then you ought to have 29put my money in the bank, and 30on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. 28Therefore: take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’

29“31For 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. 30And throw the worthless slave into 32the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.