Matthew 25:15-28

15To one he gave five 12talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he 3went on his journey. 16The one who had received the five 4talents 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 5master’s money.

19“Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and 6settled accounts with them. 20The one who had received the five 7talents 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 8faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will 9put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your 10master.’

22“Also the one who had received the two 11talents 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 12faithful 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 13talent 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 14worthless, 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 15put my money in the bank, and 16on 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.’