Matthew 25:14–30

The Parable of the Talents

¹⁴“For it is just like a man going on a journey. ^hHe called his own ^•slaves and turned over his possessions to them. ¹⁵To one he gave five talents; ⁱto another, two; and to another, one—to each according to his own ability. Then he went on a journey. ^jImmediately 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 slaves 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. Look, I’ve earned five more talents.’

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

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

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

²⁴“Then the man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a difficult man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed. ^l25So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. Look, you have what is yours.’

²⁶“But his master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy slave! ^mIf you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered, ²⁷then ⁿyou should have deposited my money with the bankers. And when I returned I would have received my money ^oback with interest.

²⁸“ ‘So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has 10 talents. ²⁹For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. ^p30And throw this good-for-nothing slave into the outer darkness. ^qIn that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’