| 14
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling
to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to
them.
15
And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and
to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he
went on a journey.
16
Then he who had received the five talents went and
traded with them, and made another five talents.
17
And likewise he who had received two gained two more
also.
18
But he who had received one went and dug in the
ground, and hid his lord’s money.
19
After a long time the lord of those servants came
and settled accounts with them.
20
“So he who had received five talents came and
brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five
talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’
21
His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and
faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you
ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
22
He also who had received two talents came and said,
‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more
talents besides them.’
23
His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and
faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make
you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
24
“Then he who had received the one talent came and
said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not
sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
25
And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there
you have what is yours.’
26
“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You
wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and
gather where I have not scattered seed.
27
So you ought to have deposited my money with the
bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with
interest.
28
So take the talent from him, and give it to him who
has ten talents.
29
‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and
he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has
will be taken away.
30
And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer
darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ |