[1] "Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their
lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. [2] Five of them were
foolish, and five were wise. [3] Those who were foolish, when they took
their lamps, took no oil with them, [4] but the wise took oil in their
vessels with their lamps. [5] Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all
slumbered and slept. [6] But at midnight there was a cry, `Behold! The
bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!` [7] Then all those virgins
arose, and trimmed their lamps. [8] The foolish said to the wise, `Give us
some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.` [9] But the wise answered,
saying, `What if there will not be enough for us and you? You go rather to
those who sell, and buy for yourselves.` [10] While they went away to buy,
the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the
marriage feast, and the door was shut. [11] Afterward the other virgins
also came, saying, `Lord, Lord, open to us.` [12] But he answered, `Most
assuredly I tell you, I don`t know you.` [13] Watch therefore, for you
don`t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. [14]
"For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own
servants, and delivered his goods to them. [15] To one he gave five
talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own
ability, and he went on his journey. [16] Immediately he who received the
five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. [17]
In like manner he also who got the two gained another two. [18] But he who
received the one went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord`s money.
[19] Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled
accounts with them. [20] He who received the five talents came and brought
another five talents, saying, `Lord, you delivered to me five talents.
Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.` [21] His lord
said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful
over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of
your lord.` [22] He also who got the two talents came and said, `Lord, you
delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents
besides them.` [23] His lord said to him, `Well done, good and faithful
servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many
things. Enter into the joy of your lord.` [24] He also who had received the
one talent came and said, `Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man,
reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter.
[25] I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold,
you have your own.` [26] But his lord answered him, `You wicked and
slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn`t sow, and gather where
I didn`t scatter. [27] You ought therefore to have deposited my money with
the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with
interest. [28] Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him
who has the ten talents. [29] For to everyone who has will be given, and he
will have abundance, but from him who has not, even that which he has will
be taken away. [30] Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer
darkness; there will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.` [31] "But
when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him,
then will he sit on the throne of his glory. [32] Before him all the
nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as
the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] He will set the sheep
on his right hand, but the goats on the left. [34] Then the King will tell
them on his right hand, `Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world; [35] for I was hungry,
and you gave me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a
stranger, and you took me in; [36] naked, and you clothed me; I was sick,
and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.` [37] Then the
righteous will answer him, saying, `Lord, when did we see you hungry, and
feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink? [38] When did we see you as a
stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? [39] When did we see
you sick, or in prison, and come to you?` [40] The King will answer them,
`Most assuredly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of
these my brothers, you did it to me.` [41] Then will he say also to them on
the left hand, `Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is
prepared for the devil and his angels; [42] for I was hungry, and you
didn`t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; [43] I
was a stranger, and you didn`t take me in; naked, and you didn`t clothe me;
sick, and in prison, and you didn`t visit me.` [44] Then will they also
answer, saying, `Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a
stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not help you?` [45] Then
will he answer them, saying, `Most assuredly I tell you, inasmuch as you
didn`t do it to one of these least, you didn`t do it to me.` [46] These
will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
