Matthew 24:32–25:26

32  But learn the parable from the fig-tree: When already its branch becomes tender and produces leaves, ye know that the summer is near. 33  Thus also ye, when ye see all these things, know that it is near, at the doors. 34  Verily I say to you, This generation will not have passed away until all these things shall have taken place. 35  The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but my words shall in no wise pass away. 36  But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of the heavens, but my Father alone. 37  But as the days of Noe, so also shall be the coming of the Son of man. 38  For as they were in the days which were before the flood, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day on which Noe entered into the ark, 39  and they knew not till the flood came and took all away; thus also shall be the coming of the Son of man. 40  Then two shall be in the field, one is taken and one is left; 41  two women grinding at the mill, one is taken and one is left. 42  Watch therefore, for ye know not in what hour your Lord comes. 43  But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched and not have suffered his house to be dug through into. 44  Wherefore ye also, be ye ready, for in that hour that ye think not the Son of man comes. 45  Who then is the faithful and prudent bondman whom his lord has set over his household, to give them food in season? 46  Blessed is that bondman whom his lord on coming shall find doing thus. 47  Verily I say unto you, that he will set him over all his substance. 48  But if that evil bondman should say in his heart, My lord delays to come, 49  and begin to beat his fellow-bondmen, and eat and drink with the drunken; 50  the lord of that bondman shall come in a day when he does not expect it, and in an hour he knows not of, 51  and shall cut him in two and appoint his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

Chapter 25

1  Then shall the kingdom of the heavens be made like to ten virgins that having taken their torches, went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2  And five of them were prudent and five foolish. 3  They that were foolish took their torches and did not take oil with them; 4  but the prudent took oil in their vessels with their torches. 5  Now the bridegroom tarrying, they all grew heavy and slept. 6  But in the middle of the night there was a cry, Behold, the bridegroom; go forth to meet him. 7  Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their torches. 8  And the foolish said to the prudent, Give us of your oil, for our torches are going out. 9  But the prudent answered saying, We cannot, lest it might not suffice for us and for you. Go rather to those that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10  But as they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and the ones that were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut. 11  Afterwards come also the rest of the virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us; 12  but he answering said, Verily I say unto you, I do not know you. 13  Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.

14  For it is as if a man going away out of a country called his own bondmen and delivered to them his substance. 15  And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to each according to his particular ability, and immediately went away out of the country. 16  And he that had received the five talents went and trafficked with them, and made five other talents. 17  In like manner also he that had received the two, he also gained two others. 18  But he that had received the one went and dug in the earth, and hid the money of his lord. 19  And after a long time the lord of those bondmen comes and reckons with them. 20  And he that had received the five talents came to him and brought five other talents, saying, My lord, thou deliveredst me five talents; behold, I have gained five other talents besides them. 21  His lord said to him, Well, good and faithful bondman, thou wast faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things: enter into the joy of thy lord. 22  And he also that had received the two talents came to him and said, My lord, thou deliveredst me two talents; behold, I have gained two other talents besides them. 23  His lord said to him, Well, good and faithful bondman, thou wast faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24  And he also that had received the one talent coming to him said, My lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hadst not sowed, and gathering from where thou hadst not scattered, 25  and being afraid I went away and hid thy talent in the earth; behold, thou hast that which is thine. 26  And his lord answering said to him, Wicked and slothful bondman, thou knewest that I reap where I had not sowed, and gather from where I had not scattered;