- [1]"Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom.
- [2]Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
- [3]Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,
- [4]but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
- [5]Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
- [6]But at midnight there was a cry, `Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!'
- [7]Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
- [8]The foolish said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
- [9]But the wise answered, saying, `What if there isn't enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'
- [10]While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.
- [11]Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, `Lord, Lord, open to us.'
- [12]But he answered, `Most certainly I tell you, I don't know you.'
- [13]Watch therefore, for you don't know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
- [14]"For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them.
- [15]To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.
- [16]Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
- [17]In the same way, he also who got the two gained another two.
- [18]But he who received the one went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
- [19]"Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them.
- [20]He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, `Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.'
- [21]"His lord said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
- [22]"He also who got the two talents came and said, `Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two 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 set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
- [24]"He also who had received the one talent came and said, `Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter.
- [25]I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.'
- [26]"But his lord answered him, `You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn't sow, and gather where I didn't scatter.
- [27]You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest.
- [28]Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.
- [29]For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn't have, even that which he has will be taken away.
- [30]Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
- [31]"But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.
- [32]Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
- [33]He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
- [34]Then the King will tell those on his right hand, `Come, 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 to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in.
- [36]I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.'
- [37]"Then the righteous will answer him, saying, `Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink?
- [38]When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you?
- [39]When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?'
- [40]"The King will answer them, `Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers , you did it to me.'
- [41]Then he will say also to those on the left hand, `Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;
- [42]for I was hungry, and you didn't give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink;
- [43]I was a stranger, and you didn't take me in; naked, and you didn't clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn't visit me.'
- [44]"Then they will also answer, saying, `Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn't help you?'
- [45]"Then he will answer them, saying, `Most certainly I tell you, because you didn't do it to one of the least of these, you didn't do it to me.'
- [46]These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Matthew 25
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