- 25:1At that time the kingdom of the heavens will be likened to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
- 25:2And five of them were foolish and five were prudent.
- 25:3For the foolish, when they took their lamps, did not take oil with them;
- 25:4But the prudent took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
- 25:5And while the bridegroom delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.
- 25:6But at midnight there was a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Go forth to meet him!
- 25:7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their own lamps.
- 25:8And the foolish said to the prudent, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.
- 25:9But the prudent answered, saying, Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.
- 25:10And as they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came; and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast. And the door was shut.
- 25:11And later the rest of the virgins came also, saying, Lord, lord, open to us!
- 25:12But he answered and said, Truly I say to you, I do not know you.
- 25:13Watch therefore, for you do not know the day nor the hour.
- 25:14For the kingdom of the heavens is just like a man about to go abroad, who called his own slaves and delivered to them his possessions.
- 25:15To one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability. And he went abroad.
- 25:16Immediately he who had received the five talents went and traded with them and gained another five.
- 25:17Similarly, he who had received the two gained another two.
- 25:18But he who had received the one went off and dug in the earth and hid his master's money.
- 25:19Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.
- 25:20And he who had received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, Master, you delivered to me five talents; behold, I have gained another five talents.
- 25:21His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful over a few things; I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.
- 25:22And he who had received the two talents also came and said, Master, you delivered to me two talents; behold, I have gained another two talents.
- 25:23His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful over a few things; I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.
- 25:24Then he who had received the one talent also came and said, Master, I knew about you, that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow.
- 25:25And I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the earth; behold, you have what is yours.
- 25:26And his master answered and said to him, Evil and slothful slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not winnow.
- 25:27Therefore you should have deposited my money with the money changers; and when I came, I would have recovered what is mine with interest.
- 25:28Take away therefore the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
- 25:29For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he shall abound; but from him who does not have, even that which he has shall be taken away from him.
- 25:30And cast out the useless slave into the outer darkness. In that place there will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.