Matthew 25:14-28

14“1For it is just like a man 2about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15To one he gave five 34talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he 5went on his journey. 16The one who had received the five 6talents 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 7master’s money.

19“Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and 8settled accounts with them. 20The one who had received the five 9talents 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 10faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will 11put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your 12master.’

22“Also the one who had received the two 13talents 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 14faithful 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 15talent 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 16worthless, 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 17put my money in the bank, and 18on 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.’