36 You must be like people waiting for their master y to return z from the wedding banquet a so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once. b 37 Those * slaves the master will find alert c when he comes will be blessed. * I assure you: He will get ready, d have them recline at the table, then come and serve them. e 38 If he comes in the middle of the night, or even near dawn, f and finds them alert, those slaves are blessed. 39 But know this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, g he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also be ready, h because the Son of Man i is coming at an hour that you do not expect.” j

Rewards and Punishment

41 “Lord,” Peter asked, “are You telling this parable to us or to everyone?”

42 The Lord said: “Who then is the faithful and sensible manager k his master will put in charge of his household servants to give them their allotted food l at the proper time? 43 That slave whose master finds him working when he comes will be rewarded. 44 I tell you the truth: He will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ m and starts to beat the male and female slaves, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 that slave’s master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. He will cut him to pieces n and assign him a place with the unbelievers. o 47 And that slave who knew his master’s will and didn’t prepare himself or do it p will be severely beaten. q 48 But the one who did not know and did things deserving r of blows will be beaten lightly. Much will be required of everyone who has been given much. And even more will be expected of the one who has been entrusted with more. s t