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Matthew  Chapter 25    Back    Next

{25:1} "Then the Kingdom of Heaven
will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps
, and went out to meet the bridegroom.

{25:2} Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

{25:3} Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,

{25:4} but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

{25:5} Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

{25:6} But at midnight there was a cry, 'Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!'

{25:7} Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps
.

{25:8} The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'

{25:9} But the wise answered, saying, 'What if there isn't enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'

{25:10} 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.

{25:11} Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us.'

{25:12} But he answered, 'Most certainly I tell you, I don't know you.'

{25:13} Watch therefore, for you don't know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

{25:14} "For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them.

{25:15} To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.

{25:16} Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.

{25:17} In the same way, he also who got the two gained another two.

{25:18} But he who received the one went away and dug in the earth
, and hid his lord's money.

{25:19} "Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them.

{25:20} 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.'

{25:21} "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.'

{25:22} "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.'

{25:23} "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.'

{25:24} "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.

{25:25} I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.'

{25:26} "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.

{25:27} You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest.

{25:28} Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.

{25:29} For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn't have, even that which he has will be taken away.

{25:30} Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness
, where there will be weeping and gnashing
of teeth.'

{25:31} "But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.

{25:32} Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats
.

{25:33} He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

{25:34} Then the King will tell those on his right hand, 'Come, blessed
of my Father
, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;

{25:35} 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.

{25:36} I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.'

{25:37} "Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink?

{25:38} When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you?

{25:39} When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?'

{25:40} "The King will answer them, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers
, you did it to me.'

{25:41} Then he will say also to those on the left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire
which is prepared for the devil
and his angels;

{25:42} for I was hungry, and you didn't give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink;

{25:43} 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.'

{25:44} "Then they will also answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn't help you?'

{25:45} "Then he will answer them, saying, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you didn't do it to one of the least of these, you didn't do it to me.'

{25:46} These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life
."

Matthew  Chapter 25    Back    Next