< Matthew 25 >
1 Then may the kingdom of heaven be compared to ten virgins, who went out with their lamps to meet the bridegroom.
2 Of these, five were prudent and five foolish.
3 The foolish took their lamps, but carried no oil with them.
4 But the prudent, besides their lamps, carried oil in their vessels.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all became drowsy, and fell asleep.
6 And at midnight a cry was raised, The bridegroom is coming, go out and meet him.
7 Then all the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said to the prudent, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out.
9 But the prudent answered, saying, Lest there be not enough for us and you, go rather to them who sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 While they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut.
11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, Master, Master, open to us.
12 He answered, Indeed, I say to you, I know you not.
13 Watch, therefore, because you know neither the day nor the hour.
14 For the Son of Man is like one who intending to travel, called his servants, and committed to them his stock;
15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to each according to his respective ability, and immediately set out.
16 Then he who had received the five talents, went and traded with them, and gained five others.
17 Likewise he who had received two, gained other two.
18 Whereas he who had received but one, digged a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
19 After a long time, their master returned and reckoned with them.
20 Then he who had received the five talents, came and presented five other talents, saying, Sir, you delivered to me five talents; here they are, and five other talents which I have gained.
21 His master answered, Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful in a small matter, I will give you a more important trust. Partake you of your master's joy.
22 He, also, who had received the two talents, advancing said, Sir, you delivered to me two talents: here they are, and two other talents which I have gained.
23 His master answered, Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful in a small matter, I will give you a more important trust. Partake you of your master's joy.
24 Then came he also who had received the talent, and said, Sir, I know that you are a severe man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered;
25 being therefore afraid, I hid your talent under ground; but now I restore you your own.
26 His master answering, said to him, Malignant and slothful servant, did you know that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered?
27 Should you not then have given my money to the bankers, that, at my return, I might have received it with interest?
28 Take from him, therefore, the talent, and give it to him who has ten:
29 for to every one that has, more shall be given, and he shall abound; but from him that has not, even that which he has shall be taken.
30 And thrust out this unprofitable servant into darkness, where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
31 Now when the Son of Man shall come in his glory, accompanied by all the angels, and shall be seated on his glorious throne;
32 then shall all the nations be assembled before him; and out of them he will separate the good from the bad, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33 The sheep he will set at his right hand, and the goats at his left.
34 Then will the King say to those at his right hand: Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 for I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you lodged me; I was a stranger, and you lodged me;
36 I was naked, and you clothed me; I was sick and you assisted me; I was in prison, and you visited me.
37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and feed thee; or thirsty, and give thee drink?
38 When did we see thee a stranger, and lodged thee; or naked, and clothed thee?
39 When did we see thee sick, or in prison, and visited thee?
40 The King will reply to them, Indeed, I say to you, that inasmuch as you have done this to any the least of these my brethren, you have done it to me.
41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his messengers; (aiōnios )
42 for I was hungry, but you gave me no food; thirsty, but you gave me no drink;
43 I was a stranger, but you did not lodge me; naked, but you did not clothe me; sick, and in prison, but you did not visit me.
44 Then they also will answer, saying, Lord, when did we see thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not assist thee?
45 Then he will reply to them, saying, Indeed, I say to you, that inasmuch as you did it not to any the least of these, you did it not to me.
46 And these shall go into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. (aiōnios )
