Matthew 25:14–27

THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

¹⁴“For it is just like a man about to go on a journey.^a He called his own servants and entrusted his possessions to them. ¹⁵To one he gave five talents,^B to another two talents, and to another one talent, depending on each one’s ability. Then he went on a journey.^b Immediately ¹⁶the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. ¹⁷In the same way the man with two earned two more. ¹⁸But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.

¹⁹“After a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I’ve earned five more talents.’

²¹“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’^c

²²“The man with two talents also approached. He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I’ve earned two more talents.’

²³“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’

²⁴“The man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a harsh man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed.^{d 25}So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’

²⁶“His master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy servant!^e If you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered, ²⁷then^C you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and I would have received my money^D back with interest when I returned.