Matthew 25:1-19 ▼

1 |At that time, the kingdom from heaven will be comparable to ten bridesmaids who took their oil lamps and went out to meet the groom.

2 Now five of them were foolish, and five were wise,

3 because when the foolish ones took their lamps, they didn't take any oil with them.

4 But the wise ones took flasks of oil with their lamps.

5 Since the groom was late, all of them became sleepy and lay down.

6 But at midnight there came a shout: 'The groom is here! Come out to meet him!'

7 Then all the bridesmaids woke up and got their lamps ready.

8 |But the foolish ones told the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out!'

9 |But the wise ones replied, 'No! There will never be enough for us and for you. You'd better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.'

10 |While they were away buying it, the groom arrived. Those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet, and the door was closed.

11 Later, the other bridesmaids arrived and said, 'Lord, lord, open up for us!'

12 |But he replied, 'I tell all of you with certainty, I don't know you!'

13 So keep on watching, because you don't know the day or the hour.|

14 |Similarly, it is like a man going on a trip, who called his servants and turned his money over to them.

15 To one man he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, based on their ability. Then he went on his trip.

16 |The one who received five talents went out at once and invested them and earned five more.

17 In the same way, the one who had two talents earned two more.

18 But the one who received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and buried his master's money.

19 |After a long time, the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.