- For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them;
- to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
- The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents.
- In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents.
- But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.
- After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.
- Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.”
- His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”
- And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.”
- His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”
- Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed;
- so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.”
- But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? …worthless, lazy lout!
- Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest.
- So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents.
- For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.
- As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Summary Matthew 25 Parables
Ten Virgins 1-13: I tell you, I do not know you.
Five virgins were foolish; The foolish said to the sensible, “Give us some of your oil…”; Master answered, “I tell you I don’t know you…”
Silver Pieces 14-30: You worthless, lazy lout!
Master handed over funds according to each man’s abilities; …out of fear…; those who have not will lose even the little they have.
The Last Judgement 31-46: Out of my sight, you condemned…
…go off to eternal punishment…