马太福音 24-25
Chinese New Version (Simplified)
预言圣殿被毁(A)
24 耶稣出了圣殿，往前走的时候，门徒前来把圣殿的建筑指给他看。 2 他对门徒说：“你们不是看见了这一切吗？我实在告诉你们，将来在这里必没有一块石头留在另一块石头上面，每一块都要拆下来。”
这世代终结的预兆(B)
3 耶稣坐在橄榄山上，门徒暗中前来问他：“请告诉我们，甚么时候会有这些事呢？你的降临和这世代的终结，有甚么预兆呢？” 4 耶稣回答他们：“你们要小心，不要被人迷惑； 5 因为许多人要假冒我的名而来，说：‘我就是基督’，并且要迷惑许多的人。 6 你们要听见战争，也听见战争的风声；你们要小心，不要惊慌，因为这是免不了的，不过结局还没有到。 7 一个民族要起来攻打另一个民族，一个国家要起来攻打另一个国家，到处都有饥荒和地震， 8 这一切不过是痛苦的开始。 9 那时人要把你们送去受苦，也要杀害你们，你们要因我的名被万民恨恶。 10 那时许多人会失去信仰，彼此出卖，互相恨恶； 11 也有许多假先知出现，要迷惑许多人。 12 因为不法的事增加，许多人的爱心就冷淡了。 13 唯有坚忍到底的，必然得救。 14 这天国的福音要传遍天下，向万民作见证，然后结局才来到。
大灾难的日子(C)
15 “当你们看见但以理先知所说的‘那造成荒凉的可憎者’，站在圣地的时候（读者必须领悟）， 16 那时，住在犹太的应当逃到山上； 17 在房顶的不要下来拿家里的东西； 18 在田里的也不要回去取衣服。 19 当那些日子，怀孕的和乳养孩子的有祸了！ 20 你们应当祈求，叫你们逃难的时候，不是在冬天或安息日， 21 因为那时必有大灾难，这是从世界的开始到现在未曾有过的，以后也必不会再有。 22 如果那些日子不减少，没有一个人可以存活；但是为了选民，那些日子必会减少。 23 那时，如果有人对你们说：‘看哪，基督在这里！’或说：‘他在那里！’你们不要信， 24 因为必有假基督和假先知出现，显大神迹和奇事；如果可以的话，他们连选民也要迷惑。 25 你们看！我已经事先告诉你们了。 26 如果他们对你们说：‘看！基督在旷野里。’你们不要出去；或说：‘看！他在内室里。’也不要相信。 27 电光怎样从东方闪出来，一直照到西方，人子降临的时候，也是这样。 28 尸首在哪里，鹰也必聚在哪里。
人子必驾云降临(D)
29 “那些日子的灾难刚过去：
太阳就变黑了，
月亮也不发光，
众星从天坠落，
天上的万象震动。
30 “那时，人子的征兆要显在天上，地上的万族都要哀号，并且看见人子带着能力，满有荣耀，驾着天上的云降临。 31 当号筒发出响声，他要差派使者，把他的选民从四方，从天这边到天那边都招聚来。
32 “你们应该从无花果树学个功课：树枝长出嫩芽生出叶子的时候，你们就知道夏天近了； 33 同样，当你们看见这一切，就知道人子已经近在门口了。 34 我实在告诉你们，这一切都必要发生，然后这世代才会过去。 35 天地都要过去，但我的话决不会废去。
警醒准备(E)
36 “至于那日子和时间，没有人知道，连天上的使者和子也不知道，只有父知道。 37 挪亚的时代怎样，人子降临的时候也是这样。 38 洪水之前的时代，人们吃喝嫁娶，直到挪亚进入方舟的那一天； 39 等到洪水来到，把他们冲去，他们才明白过来；人子降临的时候也是这样。 40 那时，两个人在田里工作，一个被接去，一个撇下来； 41 两个女人在磨坊推磨，一个被接去，一个撇下来。 42 因此，你们要警醒，因为不知道你们的主甚么时候要来。 43 你们都知道，家主若晓得窃贼晚上甚么时候会来，就会提高警觉，不让他摸进屋里。 44 所以，你们也要准备妥当，因为在想不到的时候，人子就来了。
忠心的仆人有福了(F)
45 “谁是忠心和精明的仆人，被主人指派管理全家，按时分派粮食的呢？ 46 主人来到，看见他这样作，那仆人就有福了。 47 我实在告诉你们，主人要指派他管理自己的一切财产。 48 如果他是个坏的仆人，心里说‘我的主人不会那么快回来’， 49 就动手打其他的仆人，又和醉酒的人吃喝。 50 在他想不到的日子，不知道的时间，那仆人的主人要来， 51 严厉地处罚他，使他和虚伪的人同在一起；在那里必要哀哭切齿。”
十个童女的比喻
25 “那时，天国好象十个童女，拿着她们的灯出去迎接新郎。 2 她们中间有五个是愚蠢的，五个是聪明的。 3 那些愚蠢的拿着灯，却没有带油； 4 但那些聪明的拿着灯，也把油装在瓶里带来。 5 新郎很晚还没有到，她们都打瞌睡，而且睡着了。 6 半夜，有人喊叫：‘新郎来了，快出来迎接他。’ 7 那些童女都醒过来，整理她们的灯。 8 愚蠢的对聪明的说：‘请把你们的油分一点给我们，我们的灯快要灭了。’ 9 聪明的回答：‘这些恐怕不够我们大家用，不如你们自己到卖油的地方去买吧！’ 10 她们去买油的时候，新郎来了；准备好了的童女就和他一同进去参加婚筵，门就关上了。 11 后来，其余的童女也来到，说：‘主啊，主啊，给我们开门吧！’ 12 新郎却回答：‘我实在告诉你们，我不认识你们。’ 13 所以你们要警醒，因为不知道那日子和那时间。
三个仆人的比喻（参(G)
14 “天国又像一个人要出外远行，就叫自己的仆人来，把产业交给他们。 15 他按照各人的才干，一个给三万个银币，一个给一万二千个银币，一个给六千个银币（原文作“五个，二个，一个他连得”；一个他连得等于六千个银币），然后就远行去了。 16 那领了三万的马上去做生意，另外赚了三万。 17 那领了一万二千的也是这样，另赚了一万二千。 18 但那领了六千的，却去把地挖开，把主人的钱藏起来。 19 过了很久，那些仆人的主人回来了，要和他们算帐。 20 那领了三万个银币的，带着另外的三万前来，说：‘主啊，你交了三万给我，你看，我又赚了三万。’ 21 主人对他说：‘又良善又忠心的仆人哪，你作得好！你既然在不多的事上忠心，我要派你管理许多的事。进来，享受你主人的快乐吧！’ 22 那领了一万二千的也前来，说：‘主啊，你交了一万二千给我，你看，我又赚了一万二千。’ 23 主人对他说：‘又良善又忠心的仆人哪，你作得好！你既然在不多的事上忠心，我要派你管理许多的事。进来，享受你主人的快乐吧！’ 24 那领了六千的也前来，说：‘主啊，我知道你是个严厉的人，没有撒种的地方，你要收割；没有散播的地方，你要收聚。 25 所以，我就害怕起来，去把你的钱藏在地里。你看，你的钱还在这里。’ 26 可是主人对他说：‘你这个又可恶又懒惰的仆人，你既然知道我要在没有撒种的地方收割，在没有散播的地方收聚， 27 那你就应该把我的钱存入银行，到我回来的时候，可以连本带利收回。 28 你们把他的六千银币拿去，交给那个有六万的。 29 因为凡是有的，还要给他，他就充足有余；凡是没有的，就算他有甚么也要拿去。 30 把这没有用的仆人丢在外面的黑暗里，在那里必要哀哭切齿。’
人子必审判万族
31 “当人子在他的荣耀里，带着所有的使者降临的时候，他要坐在荣耀的宝座上。 32 万族要聚集在他面前，他要把他们彼此分开，好象牧羊人把绵羊和山羊分开一样： 33 把绵羊放在右边，山羊放在左边。 34 那时，王要对右边的说：‘蒙我父赐福的，来承受创世以来为你们预备好的国吧。 35 因为我饿了，你们给我吃；我渴了，你们给我喝；我作旅客，你们接待我； 36 我赤身露体，你们给我衣服穿；我病了，你们看顾我；我在监里，你们来看我。’ 37 义人就回答：‘主啊，我们甚么时候见你饿了就给你吃，渴了就给你喝呢？ 38 又甚么时候见你作旅客就接待你，赤身露体就给你衣服穿呢？ 39 或者甚么时候见你病了，或在监里就来看你呢？’ 40 王要回答他们：‘我实在告诉你们，你们所作的，只要是作在我一个最小的弟兄身上，就是作在我的身上了。’
41 “王也要对左边的说：‘你们这被咒诅的，离开我，到为魔鬼和他的使者所预备的永火里去吧！ 42 因为我饿了，你们没有给我吃；我渴了，你们没有给我喝； 43 我作旅客，你们没有接待我；我赤身露体，你们没有给我衣服穿；我病了，我在监里，你们没有看顾我。’ 44 他们就回答：‘主啊，我们甚么时候见你饿了、渴了、作旅客、赤身露体、病了，或在监里，却没有服事你呢？’ 45 王要回答他们：‘我实在告诉你们，这些事你们既然没有作在一个最小的身上，就是没有作在我的身上了。’ 46 他们要进入永远的刑罚，义人却要进入永生。”
马太福音 24-25
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
预言圣殿被毁
24 耶稣离开圣殿时，门徒上前把宏伟的圣殿指给祂看。 2 耶稣对他们说：“你们看见这殿宇了吗？我实在告诉你们，将来它要被完全拆毁，在这里找不到两块叠在一起的石头。”
世界末日的预兆
3 耶稣正坐在橄榄山上，门徒私下来问祂：“请告诉我们，这事什么时候会发生？你再来和世界末日的时候会有什么预兆？”
4 耶稣回答说：“你们要小心，免得被人迷惑。 5 因为将来会有许多人冒我的名而来，说，‘我是基督’欺骗许多人。 6 你们听见战争爆发、战讯频传时，不要惊慌，因为这些事必然发生，只是末日还没有到。 7 民族将与民族互斗，国家将与国家相争，各处将有饥荒和地震。 8 这些只是灾难[a]的开始。
9 “那时，你们将遭人迫害、杀害，并因我的名而被万民憎恨。 10 那时，许多人会放弃信仰，互相出卖，彼此憎恨。 11 许多假先知也会出现，迷惑许多人。 12 由于罪恶泛滥，许多人的爱逐渐冷淡。 13 但坚忍到底的必定得救。 14 这天国的福音将传遍天下，让万民都听见，然后末日才会来临。
15 “当你们看见但以理先知所说的‘那带来毁灭的可憎之物’站立在圣地的时候（读者须会意）， 16 住在犹太地区的人要赶快逃到山上去， 17 在屋顶上的人不要下来进屋收拾行李， 18 在田间工作的人也不要回家取外衣。 19 那时，孕妇和哺育婴儿的母亲们可就遭殃了！ 20 你们要祈求上帝，不要让你们在冬天或安息日逃难。 21 因为那时世上将有空前绝后的大灾难。 22 如果不缩短灾期，恐怕没有人能活命。但为了选民的缘故，灾期必被缩短。
23 “那时，如果有人对你们说，‘看啊！基督在这里’，或说，‘基督在那里’，你们不要相信。 24 因为假基督和假先知将出现，行很大的神迹奇事来迷惑人，如果可能，甚至要迷惑上帝拣选的子民。 25 你们要记住，我已经预先告诉你们了。
26 “因此，如果有人对你们说，‘看啊！基督在旷野’，你们不要出去；或者说，‘看啊！基督在屋里’，你们也不要相信。 27 人子降临时的情形就像闪电从东方发出一直照到西方。 28 尸体在哪里，秃鹰就会聚集在哪里。
29 “当灾难的日子一过，
“‘太阳变黑，
月亮无光，
众星陨落，
天体震动。’
30 “那时，天上会出现人子降临的预兆，地上的万族都要哀哭，他们将看见人子带着能力和极大的荣耀驾着天上的云降临。 31 在响亮的号声中，祂将差遣天使从四面八方、天涯海角招聚祂拣选的人。
无花果树的比喻
32 “你们可以从无花果树学个道理。当无花果树发芽长叶的时候，你们就知道夏天快来了。 33 同样，当你们看见这一切事发生时，就知道人子快来了，就在门口。 34 我实在告诉你们，这个世代还没有过去，这一切都要发生。 35 天地都要过去，但我的话永远长存。
警醒准备
36 “但没有人知道那日子和时辰何时来到，连天上的天使也不知道，人子[b]也不知道，只有天父知道。 37 人子降临时的情形就像挪亚的时代。 38 洪水来临之前，人们吃吃喝喝，男婚女嫁，一直到挪亚进方舟那天； 39 他们懵然不知，直到洪水来把他们全冲走了。人子降临时的情形也是这样。 40 那时，两个人在田里，一个将被接去，一个将被撇下； 41 两个妇人推磨，一个将被接去，一个将被撇下。 42 所以，你们要警醒，因为你们不知道你们的主会在哪一天来。 43 你们都知道，如果一家的主人知道贼会在半夜几点来，就必警醒，不让贼入屋偷窃。 44 同样，你们也要做好准备，因为在你们意想不到的时候，人子就来了。
两种奴仆
45 “谁是那个受主人委托管理家中大小仆役、按时分粮食给他们、又忠心又精明的奴仆呢？ 46 主人回家时，看见他尽忠职守，他就有福了。 47 我实在告诉你们，主人一定会把所有产业都交给他管理。 48 但如果奴仆邪恶，以为主人不会那么快回来， 49 就殴打同伴，跟醉汉一起吃喝玩乐， 50 主人会在他想不到的日子、不知道的时辰回来， 51 严厉地惩罚[c]他，判他和伪君子同样的罪。他必在那里哀哭切齿。
十个伴娘的比喻
25 “那时，天国就像十个伴娘提着灯去迎接新郎， 2 其中五个是糊涂的，五个是聪明的。 3 五个糊涂的只顾拿着灯，却不预备油； 4 那些聪明的不但拿着灯，还用器皿预备了足够的油。 5 新郎迟迟未到，她们等得困倦，便打盹睡着了。
6 “到了半夜，忽然听见有人喊道，‘新郎来了！出来迎接吧！’ 7 伴娘们醒来，把灯点亮。 8 糊涂的伴娘对聪明的伴娘说，‘请给我们一些油吧，因为我们的灯快要灭了！’
9 “聪明的伴娘回答说，‘不行，我们的油不够大家用的，你们去油店买吧！’
10 “当糊涂的伴娘去买油的时候，新郎来了。那些预备好的伴娘跟他一同进去参加婚宴，门就关了。 11 后来，其他伴娘回来了，喊道，‘主啊！主啊！请给我们开门吧！’
12 “新郎却说，‘我实在告诉你们，我不认识你们。’
13 “所以，你们要警醒，因为你们不知道我回来的日子和时辰。
才干的比喻
14 “天国就像一个人即将远行，他召来自己的奴仆，把产业托付给他们， 15 按各人的才干分别交给一个人五千银币，一个人两千银币，一个人一千银币，然后便离开了。 16 得到五千银币的立刻去做买卖，结果赚了五千； 17 得到两千银币的也赚了两千； 18 可是得到一千银币的却挖了一个洞，把主人的钱藏在地里。 19 过了很久，这些奴仆的主人回来了，要跟他们结帐。 20 得到五千银币的奴仆带来了另外的五千，说，‘主人，你交给我五千银币，请看，我又赚了五千。’
21 “主人说，‘做得好！你真是个又良善又忠心的奴仆。既然你在小事上忠心，我要把更大的事交给你。进来分享你主人的快乐吧！’
22 “得到两千银币的奴仆也上前说，‘主人，你交给我两千银币，请看，我又赚了两千。’
23 “主人说，‘做得好！你真是个又良善又忠心的奴仆，既然你在小事上忠心，我要把更大的事交给你。进来分享你主人的快乐吧！’
24 “得到一千银币的奴仆也上前说，‘主人，我知道你为人苛刻，没有播种的地方也要收割，没有撒种的地方也要收获。 25 我很害怕，就去把你的钱藏在地里。请看，这是你的钱。’
26 “主人说，‘你这又可恶又懒惰的奴仆！既然你知道我没有播种的地方也要收割，没有撒种的地方也要收获， 27 就应该把钱存入钱庄，等我回来时，可以连本带利还给我。’
28 “主人接着说，‘收回他的一千银币，赏给那个有一万银币的奴仆。 29 因为凡有的，还要给他更多，使他丰富有余；凡没有的，连他仅有的，也要夺去。 30 把这没用的奴仆扔进外边的黑暗里，他必在那里哀哭切齿。’
末日的审判
31 “当人子在祂的荣耀中与众天使降临的时候，祂要坐在荣耀的宝座上， 32 万民要聚集在祂面前。祂要把他们分开，就像牧人把绵羊和山羊分开一样。 33 祂要把绵羊放在右边，山羊放在左边。 34 那时，王会对右边的人说，‘我父所赐福的人啊，来承受创世以来为你们预备的国度吧。 35 因为我饥饿时，你们给我吃的；我口渴时，你们给我喝的；我身在异乡时，你们接待我； 36 我赤身露体时，你们给我穿的；我生病时，你们照顾我；我坐牢时，你们来看我。’
37 “那些义人会回答说，‘主啊！我们什么时候见你饿了就给你吃的？见你渴了就给你喝的？ 38 见你身在异乡就接待你？见你赤身露体就给你穿的呢？ 39 我们又什么时候见你生病或坐牢，就去看你呢？’
40 “王会回答说，‘我实在告诉你们，你们帮助我最卑微的一个弟兄，就是帮助我了。’
41 “王又对左边的人说，‘你们这些被咒诅的人，走开！到专为魔鬼及其使者预备的永远不灭的火里去吧！ 42 因为我饥饿时，你们不给我吃的；我口渴时，你们不给我喝的； 43 我身在异乡时，你们不接待我；我赤身露体时，你们不给我衣服；我生病时，你们不照顾我；我坐牢时，你们不来看我。’
44 “他们会问，‘主啊，我们什么时候见你饿了，或渴了，或身在异乡，或赤身露体，或病了，或坐牢，却没有帮助你呢？’
45 “王会回答说，‘我实在告诉你们，你们没有帮助我最卑微的一个弟兄，就是没有帮助我。’ 46 这些人要受永远的刑罚，但义人要得到永远的生命。”
Matthew 24-25
Easy-to-Read Version
Jesus Warns About the Future(A)
24 Jesus left the Temple area and was walking away. But his followers came to him to show him the Temple’s buildings. 2 He asked them, “Are you looking at these buildings? The fact is, they will be destroyed. Every stone will be thrown down to the ground. Not one stone will be left on another.”
3 Later, Jesus was sitting at a place on the Mount of Olives. The followers came to be alone with him. They said, “Tell us when these things will happen. And what will happen to prepare us for your coming and the end of time?”
4 Jesus answered, “Be careful! Don’t let anyone fool you. 5 Many people will come and use my name. They will say, ‘I am the Messiah.’ And they will fool many people. 6 You will hear about wars that are being fought. And you will hear stories about other wars beginning. But don’t be afraid. These things must happen before the end comes. 7 Nations will fight against other nations. Kingdoms will fight against other kingdoms. There will be times when there is no food for people to eat. And there will be earthquakes in different places. 8 These things are only the beginning of troubles, like the first pains of a woman giving birth.
9 “Then you will be arrested and handed over to be punished and killed. People all over the world will hate you because you believe in me. 10 During that time many believers will lose their faith. They will turn against each other and hate each other. 11 Many false prophets will come and cause many people to believe things that are wrong. 12 There will be so much more evil in the world that the love of most believers will grow cold. 13 But the one who remains faithful to the end will be saved. 14 And the Good News I have shared about God’s kingdom will be told throughout the world. It will be spread to every nation. Then the end will come.
15 “Daniel the prophet spoke about ‘the terrible thing that causes destruction.’[a] You will see this terrible thing standing in the holy place.” (You who read this should understand what it means.) 16 “The people in Judea at that time should run away to the mountains. 17 They should run away without wasting time to stop for anything. If they are on the roof of their house, they must not go down to get anything out of the house. 18 If they are in the field, they must not go back to get a coat.
19 “During that time it will be hard for women who are pregnant or have small babies! 20 Pray that it will not be winter or a Sabbath day when these things happen and you have to run away, 21 because it will be a time of great trouble. There will be more trouble than has ever happened since the beginning of the world. And nothing as bad as that will ever happen again.
22 “But God has decided to make that terrible time short. If it were not made short, no one would continue living. But God will make that time short to help the people he has chosen.
23 “Someone might say to you at that time, ‘Look, there is the Messiah!’ Or someone else might say, ‘There he is!’ But don’t believe them. 24 False messiahs and false prophets will come and do great miracles and wonders,[b] trying to fool the people God has chosen, if that is possible. 25 Now I have warned you about this before it happens.
26 “Someone might tell you, ‘The Messiah is there in the desert!’ But don’t go into the desert to look for him. Someone else might say, ‘There is the Messiah in that room!’ But don’t believe it. 27 When the Son of Man comes, everyone will see him. It will be like lightning flashing in the sky that can be seen everywhere. 28 It’s like looking for a dead body: You will find it where the vultures are gathering above.
29 “Right after the trouble of those days, this will happen:
‘The sun will become dark,
and the moon will not give light.
The stars will fall from the sky,
and everything in the sky will be changed.’[c]
30 “Then there will be something in the sky that shows the Son of Man is coming. All the people of the world will cry. Everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds in the sky. He will come with power and great glory. 31 He will use a loud trumpet to send his angels all around the earth. They will gather his chosen people from every part of the earth.
32 “The fig tree teaches us a lesson: When its branches become green and soft, and new leaves begin to grow, then you know that summer is very near. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things happening, you will know that the time[d] is very near, already present. 34 I assure you that all these things will happen while some of the people of this time are still living. 35 The whole world, earth and sky, will be destroyed, but my words will last forever.
Only God Knows When the Time Will Be(B)
36 “No one knows when that day or time will be. The Son and the angels in heaven don’t know when it will be. Only the Father knows.
37 “When the Son of Man comes, it will be the same as what happened during Noah’s time. 38 In those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving their children to be married right up to the day Noah entered the boat. 39 They knew nothing about what was happening until the flood came and destroyed them all.
“It will be the same when the Son of Man comes. 40 Two men will be working together in the field. One will be taken and the other will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding grain with a mill. One will be taken and the other will be left.
42 “So always be ready. You don’t know the day your Lord will come. 43 What would a homeowner do if he knew when a thief was coming? You know he would be ready and not let the thief break in. 44 So you also must be ready. The Son of Man will come at a time when you don’t expect him.
Good Servants and Bad Servants(C)
45 “Who is the wise and trusted servant? The master trusts one servant to give the other servants their food at the right time. Who is the one the master trusts to do that work? 46 When the master comes and finds that servant doing the work he gave him, it will be a day of blessing for that servant. 47 I can tell you without a doubt, the master will choose that servant to take care of everything he owns.
48 “But what will happen if that servant is evil and thinks his master will not come back soon? 49 He will begin to beat the other servants. He will eat and drink with others who are drunk. 50 Then the master will come when the servant is not ready, at a time when the servant is not expecting him. 51 Then the master will punish that servant. He will send him away to be with the hypocrites, where people will cry and grind their teeth with pain.
A Story About Ten Girls
25 “At that time God’s kingdom will be like ten girls who went to wait for the bridegroom. They took their lamps with them. 2 Five of the girls were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The foolish girls took their lamps with them, but they did not take extra oil for the lamps. 4 The wise girls took their lamps and more oil in jars. 5 When the bridegroom was very late, the girls could not keep their eyes open, and they all fell asleep.
6 “At midnight someone announced, ‘The bridegroom is coming! Come and meet him!’
7 “Then all the girls woke up. They made their lamps ready. 8 But the foolish girls said to the wise girls, ‘Give us some of your oil. The oil in our lamps is all gone.’
9 “The wise girls answered, ‘No! The oil we have might not be enough for all of us. But go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “So the foolish girls went to buy oil. While they were gone, the bridegroom came. The girls who were ready went in with the bridegroom to the wedding feast. Then the door was closed and locked.
11 “Later, the other girls came. They said, ‘Sir, sir! Open the door to let us in.’
12 “But the bridegroom answered, ‘Certainly not! I don’t even know you.’
13 “So always be ready. You don’t know the day or the time when the Son of Man will come.
A Story About Three Servants(D)
14 “At that time God’s kingdom will also be like a man leaving home to travel to another place for a visit. Before he left, he talked with his servants. He told his servants to take care of his things while he was gone. 15 He decided how much each servant would be able to care for. The man gave one servant five bags of money.[e] He gave another servant two bags. And he gave a third servant one bag. Then he left. 16 The servant who got five bags went quickly to invest the money. Those five bags of money earned five more. 17 It was the same with the servant who had two bags. That servant invested the money and earned two more. 18 But the servant who got one bag of money went away and dug a hole in the ground. Then he hid his master’s money in the hole.
19 “After a long time the master came home. He asked the servants what they did with his money. 20 The servant who got five bags brought that amount and five more bags of money to the master. The servant said, ‘Master, you trusted me to care for five bags of money. So I used them to earn five more.’
21 “The master answered, ‘You did right. You are a good servant who can be trusted. You did well with that small amount of money. So I will let you care for much greater things. Come and share my happiness with me.’
22 “Then the servant who got two bags of money came to the master. The servant said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of money to care for. So I used your two bags to earn two more.’
23 “The master answered, ‘You did right. You are a good servant who can be trusted. You did well with a small amount of money. So I will let you care for much greater things. Come and share my happiness with me.’
24 “Then the servant who got one bag of money came to the master. The servant said, ‘Master, I knew you were a very hard man. You harvest what you did not plant. You gather crops where you did not put any seed. 25 So I was afraid. I went and hid your money in the ground. Here is the one bag of money you gave me.’
26 “The master answered, ‘You are a bad and lazy servant! You say you knew that I harvest what I did not plant and that I gather crops where I did not put any seed. 27 So you should have put my money in the bank. Then, when I came home, I would get my money back. And I would also get the interest that my money earned.’
28 “So the master told his other servants, ‘Take the one bag of money from that servant and give it to the servant who has ten bags. 29 Everyone who uses what they have will get more. They will have much more than they need. But people who do not use what they have will have everything taken away from them.’ 30 Then the master said, ‘Throw that useless servant outside into the darkness, where people will cry and grind their teeth with pain.’
The Son of Man Will Judge All People
31 “The Son of Man will come again with divine greatness, and all his angels will come with him. He will sit as king on his great and glorious throne. 32 All the people of the world will be gathered before him. Then he will separate everyone into two groups. It will be like a shepherd separating his sheep from his goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the king will say to the godly people on his right, ‘Come, my Father has great blessings for you. The kingdom he promised is now yours. It has been prepared for you since the world was made. 35 It is yours because when I was hungry, you gave me food to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I had no place to stay, you welcomed me into your home. 36 When I was without clothes, you gave me something to wear. When I was sick, you cared for me. When I was in prison, you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the godly people will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you with no place to stay and welcome you into our home? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?’
40 “Then the king will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you did for any of my people here,[f] you also did for me.’
41 “Then the king will say to the evil people on his left, ‘Get away from me. God has already decided that you will be punished. Go into the fire that burns forever—the fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 You must go away because when I was hungry, you gave me nothing to eat. When I was thirsty, you gave me nothing to drink. 43 When I had no place to stay, you did not welcome me into your home. When I was without clothes, you gave me nothing to wear. When I was sick and in prison, you did not care for me.’
44 “Then those people will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty? When did we see you without a place to stay? Or when did we see you without clothes or sick or in prison? When did we see any of this and not help you?’
45 “The king will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you refused to do for any of my people here, you refused to do for me.’
46 “Then these evil people will go away to be punished forever. But the godly people will go and enjoy eternal life.”
Footnotes
- Matthew 24:15 ‘the terrible thing … destruction’ See Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11.
- Matthew 24:24 miracles and wonders Here, amazing acts done by Satan’s power.
- Matthew 24:29 See Isa. 13:10; 34:4.
- Matthew 24:33 time The time Jesus has been talking about when something important will happen. See Lk. 21:31, where Jesus says that this is the time for God’s kingdom to come.
- Matthew 25:15 bags of money Literally, “ talanta” or “talents.” A talent was about 27 to 36 kg (60 to 80 pounds) of gold, silver, or copper coins. Also in verses 20, 22, 24, 28.
- Matthew 25:40 any of my people here Literally, “one of the least of these brothers of mine.” Also in verse 45.
Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.
Chinese Contemporary Bible Copyright © 1979, 2005, 2007, 2011 by Biblica® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International