The Parable of the Talents

14 (A)“For (B)it will be like a man (C)going on a journey, who called his servants[a] and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five (D)talents,[b] to another two, to another one, (E)to each according to his ability. Then he (F)went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and (G)dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now (H)after a long time the master of those servants came and (I)settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and (J)faithful servant.[c] (K)You have been faithful over a little; (L)I will set you over much. Enter into (M)the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be (N)a hard man, reaping (O)where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, (P)you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You (Q)wicked and (R)slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 (S)For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And (T)cast (U)the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place (V)there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

The Final Judgment

31 (W)“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, (X)then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him (Y)will be gathered (Z)all the nations, and (AA)he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates (AB)the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then (AC)the King will say to (AD)those on his right, ‘Come, you (AE)who are blessed by my Father, (AF)inherit (AG)the kingdom (AH)prepared for you (AI)from the foundation of the world. 35 For (AJ)I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you (AK)gave me drink, (AL)I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 (AM)I was naked and you clothed me, (AN)I was sick and you (AO)visited me, (AP)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 drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And (AQ)the King will answer them, (AR)‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these (AS)my brothers,[d] you did it to me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, (AT)‘Depart from me, you (AU)cursed, into (AV)the eternal fire prepared for (AW)the devil and his angels. 42 For (AX)I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, (AY)you did not do it to me.’

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 25:14 Or bondservants; also verse 19
  2. Matthew 25:15 A talent was a monetary unit worth about twenty years' wages for a laborer
  3. Matthew 25:21 Or bondservant; also verses 23, 26, 30
  4. Matthew 25:40 Or brothers and sisters

Bible Gateway Recommends

ESV Study Bible, Large Print, Genuine Leather, Black
ESV Study Bible, Large Print, Genuine Leather, Black
Retail: $129.99
Our Price: $81.99
Save: $48.00 (37%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
ESV Preaching Bible--soft leather-look over board, deep brown
ESV Preaching Bible--soft leather-look over board, deep brown
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $18.49
Save: $41.50 (69%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Study Bible, Burgundy Genuine Leather
ESV Study Bible, Burgundy Genuine Leather
Retail: $114.99
Our Price: $54.99
Save: $60.00 (52%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
ESV Student Study Bible, Trutone, Turquoise
ESV Student Study Bible, Trutone, Turquoise
Retail: $44.99
Our Price: $26.99
Save: $18.00 (40%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars