On the Alert for the Master’s Return

35 “⌊You must be prepared for action⌋g and your* lamps burning. 36 And you, be like people who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast,h so that when he* comes back and knocks, they can open the door* for him immediately. 37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he returns! Truly I say to you that he will dress himself for service and have them recline at the table and will come by and* serve them. 38 Even if he should come back in the second or in the third watch of the night and find them* like this, blessed are they! 39 But understand this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not think he will come.”*

A Faithful Slave and an Unfaithful Slave

41 And Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us, or also for everyone?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful wise manager whom the master will put in charge over his servants to give them* their* food allowance at the right time? 43 Blessed is that slave whom his master will find so doing when he* comes back. 44 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that slave should say ⌊to himself⌋,i ‘My master is taking a long time to return,’ and he begins to beat the male slaves and the female slaves and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in two and assign his place with the unbelievers. 47 And that slave who knew the will of his master and did not prepare or do according to his will ⌊will be given a severe beating⌋.j 48 But the one who did not know and did things deserving blows ⌊will be given a light beating⌋.k And from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be demanded, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will ask him for even more.