Die zehn Brautjungfern (Lukas 12,35‒38; 13,25‒28)

25 »Wenn der Menschensohn kommt, wird es in seinem himmlischen Reich sein wie bei zehn Brautjungfern, die bei einer Hochzeit dem Bräutigam mit ihren Lampen entgegengingen. Fünf von ihnen verhielten sich klug, die anderen waren leichtfertig und dumm. 3-4 Die klugen Mädchen hatten sich nämlich vorher mit ausreichend Öl für ihre Lampen versorgt. Die anderen fünf dachten überhaupt nicht daran, einen Vorrat an Öl mitzunehmen.

Als sich die Ankunft des Bräutigams verzögerte, wurden sie alle müde und schliefen ein. Plötzlich um Mitternacht wurden sie mit dem Ruf geweckt: ›Der Bräutigam kommt! Geht und begrüßt ihn!‹

Da sprangen die Mädchen auf und bereiteten ihre Lampen vor. Die fünf, die nicht genügend Öl hatten, baten die anderen: ›Gebt uns etwas von eurem Öl! Unsere Lampen gehen aus.‹ Aber die Klugen antworteten: ›Das können wir nicht. Unser Öl reicht gerade für uns selbst. Geht doch zu einem Händler und kauft euch welches!‹

10 Da gingen sie los. In der Zwischenzeit kam der Bräutigam, und die Mädchen, die darauf vorbereitet waren, begleiteten ihn in den Festsaal. Dann wurde die Tür verschlossen. 11 Später kamen auch die fünf anderen. Sie standen draußen und riefen: ›Herr, mach uns doch die Tür auf!‹ 12 Aber er erwiderte: ›Was wollt ihr denn? Ich kenne euch nicht!‹

13 Deshalb seid wachsam und haltet euch bereit! Denn ihr wisst weder an welchem Tag noch zu welchem Zeitpunkt der Menschensohn kommen wird

Beauftragt zu handeln (Lukas 19,11‒27)

14 »Es wird dann so sein wie bei einem Mann, der vorhatte, ins Ausland zu reisen. Er rief alle seine Verwalter zusammen und vertraute ihnen sein Vermögen an. Sie sollten während seiner Abwesenheit gut damit wirtschaften. 15 Dem einen gab er fünf Zentner Silberstücke, einem anderen zwei und dem dritten einen Zentner, jedem nach seinen Fähigkeiten. Danach reiste er ab.

16 Der Mann mit den fünf Zentnern Silberstücke machte sich sofort daran, mit dem Geld Geschäfte zu treiben, und konnte so die Summe verdoppeln. 17 Auch der die zwei Zentner bekommen hatte, verdiente zwei hinzu. 18 Der dritte aber vergrub den Zentner, den sein Herr ihm anvertraut hatte, an einem sicheren Ort.

19 Nach langer Zeit kehrte der Herr von seiner Reise zurück und forderte seine Diener auf, mit ihm abzurechnen.

20 Der Mann, der fünf Zentner Silberstücke erhalten hatte, trat vor und übergab ihm zehn Zentner. Er sagte: ›Herr, fünf Zentner hast du mir gegeben. Hier, ich habe fünf dazuverdient.‹ 21 Da lobte ihn sein Herr: ›Gut so, du bist ein tüchtiger und zuverlässiger Verwalter. In kleinen Dingen bist du treu gewesen, darum werde ich dir Großes anvertrauen. Komm zu meinem Fest und freu dich mit mir!‹

22 Danach kam der Mann mit den zwei Zentnern. Er berichtete: ›Herr, ich habe den Betrag, den du mir gegeben hast, verdoppeln können.‹ 23 Da lobte ihn der Herr: ›Gut gemacht, du bist ein tüchtiger und zuverlässiger Verwalter. In kleinen Dingen bist du treu gewesen, darum werde ich dir Großes anvertrauen. Komm zu meinem Fest und freu dich mit mir!‹

24 Schließlich kam der Diener, dem der Herr einen Zentner Silberstücke gegeben hatte, und erklärte: ›Ich kenne dich als strengen Herrn und dachte: Du erntest, was andere gesät haben; du nimmst dir, wofür du nichts getan hast. 25 Aus Angst habe ich dein Geld sicher aufbewahrt. Hier hast du es wieder zurück!‹ 26 Zornig antwortete ihm darauf sein Herr: ›Was bist du nur für ein böser und fauler Verwalter! Wenn du schon der Meinung bist, dass ich ernte, was andere gesät haben, und mir nehme, wofür ich nichts getan habe, 27 hättest du mein Geld wenigstens bei einer Bank anlegen können! Dann hätte ich immerhin noch Zinsen dafür bekommen! 28 Nehmt ihm das Geld weg und gebt es dem, der die zehn Zentner hat!

29 Denn wer viel hat, der bekommt noch mehr dazu, ja, er wird mehr als genug haben! Wer aber nichts hat, dem wird selbst noch das Wenige, das er hat, genommen. 30 Und jetzt werft diesen Nichtsnutz hinaus in die tiefste Finsternis, wo es nur noch Heulen und ohnmächtiges Jammern[a] gibt!‹«

Das Weltgericht

31 »Wenn der Menschensohn in seiner ganzen Herrlichkeit kommt, begleitet von allen Engeln, dann wird er auf seinem Königsthron sitzen. 32 Alle Völker werden vor ihm versammelt werden, und er wird die Menschen in zwei Gruppen teilen, so wie ein Hirte die Schafe von den Ziegen trennt[b]. 33 Die Schafe stellt er rechts von sich auf und die Ziegen links. 34 Dann wird der König zu denen an seiner rechten Seite sagen: ›Kommt her! Euch hat mein Vater gesegnet. Nehmt Gottes Reich in Besitz, das er seit Erschaffung der Welt als Erbe für euch bereithält! 35 Denn als ich hungrig war, habt ihr mir zu essen gegeben. Als ich Durst hatte, bekam ich von euch etwas zu trinken. Ich war ein Fremder bei euch, und ihr habt mich aufgenommen. 36 Ich hatte nichts anzuziehen, und ihr habt mir Kleidung gegeben. Ich war krank, und ihr habt für mich gesorgt. Ich war im Gefängnis, und ihr habt mich besucht.‹

37 Dann werden sie, die nach Gottes Willen gelebt haben, fragen: ›Herr, wann bist du denn hungrig gewesen, und wir haben dir zu essen gegeben? Oder durstig, und wir gaben dir zu trinken? 38 Wann warst du als Fremder bei uns, und wir haben dir Gastfreundschaft gewährt? Und wann hattest du nichts anzuziehen, und wir haben dir Kleider gebracht? 39 Wann warst du denn krank oder im Gefängnis, und wir haben dich besucht?‹

40 Der König wird ihnen dann antworten: ›Das will ich euch sagen: Was ihr für einen meiner geringsten Brüder oder für eine meiner geringsten Schwestern getan habt, das habt ihr für mich getan!‹

41 Dann wird er sich denen an seiner linken Seite zuwenden und sagen: ›Geht mir aus den Augen, ihr Verfluchten, ins ewige Feuer, das für den Teufel und seine Engel bestimmt ist! 42 Denn ich war hungrig, aber ihr habt mir nichts zu essen gegeben. Ich war durstig, aber ihr habt mir nichts zu trinken gegeben. 43 Ich war als Fremder bei euch, aber ihr habt mich nicht aufgenommen. Ich hatte nichts anzuziehen, aber ihr wolltet mir keine Kleider geben. Ich war krank und im Gefängnis, aber ihr habt mich nicht besucht.‹ 44 Dann werden auch sie ihn fragen: ›Herr, wann haben wir dich denn hungrig oder durstig, ohne Unterkunft, ohne Kleidung, krank oder im Gefängnis gesehen und dir nicht geholfen?‹ 45 Darauf wird ihnen der König antworten: ›Ich versichere euch: Die Hilfe, die ihr meinen geringsten Brüdern und Schwestern verweigert habt, die habt ihr mir verweigert.‹ 46 Und sie werden der ewigen Strafe ausgeliefert sein. Aber die Gottes Willen getan haben, erwartet unvergängliches Leben.«

Footnotes

  1. 25,30 Wörtlich: nur Heulen und Zähneknirschen.
  2. 25,32 Oder: von den Böcken trennt. – Im Orient wurden Schafe und Ziegen häufig gemeinsam gehütet. Nachts trennte man sie voneinander, weil die Ziegen gegenüber der Kälte empfindlicher sind und deshalb eng zusammengetrieben werden mussten.

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet (A)the bridegroom. (B)Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, (C)they all slumbered and slept.

“And at midnight (D)a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom [a]is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and (E)trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and (F)the door was shut.

11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, (G)‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, (H)I do not know you.’

13 (I)“Watch therefore, for you (J)know neither the day nor the hour [b]in which the Son of Man is coming.

The Parable of the Talents(K)

14 (L)“For the kingdom of heaven is (M)like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, (N)to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were (O)faithful over a few things, (P)I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into (Q)the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, (R)‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into (S)the joy of your lord.’

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You (T)wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 (U)‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant (V)into the outer darkness. (W)There will be weeping and (X)gnashing of teeth.’

The Son of Man Will Judge the Nations

31 (Y)“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the [c]holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 (Z)All the nations will be gathered before Him, and (AA)He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the (AB)sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, (AC)inherit the kingdom (AD)prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 (AE)for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; (AF)I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was (AG)naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; (AH)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 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, (AI)inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, (AJ)‘Depart from Me, you cursed, (AK)into the everlasting fire prepared for (AL)the devil and his angels: 42 for 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 take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

44 “Then they also will answer [d]Him, 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, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, (AM)inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And (AN)these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 25:6 NU omits is coming
  2. Matthew 25:13 NU omits the rest of v. 13.
  3. Matthew 25:31 NU omits holy
  4. Matthew 25:44 NU, M omit Him

25 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like (A)ten virgins who took their lamps[a] and went to meet (B)the bridegroom.[b] Five of them were foolish, and five were (C)wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom (D)was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But (E)at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and (F)trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and (G)those who were ready went in with him to (H)the marriage feast, and (I)the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, (J)‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 (K)But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, (L)I do not know you.’ 13 (M)Watch therefore, for you (N)know neither the day nor the hour.

The Parable of the Talents

14 (O)“For (P)it will be like a man (Q)going on a journey, who called his servants[c] and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five (R)talents,[d] to another two, to another one, (S)to each according to his ability. Then he (T)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 (U)dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now (V)after a long time the master of those servants came and (W)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 (X)faithful servant.[e] (Y)You have been faithful over a little; (Z)I will set you over much. Enter into (AA)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 (AB)a hard man, reaping (AC)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, (AD)you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You (AE)wicked and (AF)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 (AG)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 (AH)cast (AI)the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place (AJ)there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

The Final Judgment

31 (AK)“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, (AL)then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him (AM)will be gathered (AN)all the nations, and (AO)he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates (AP)the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then (AQ)the King will say to (AR)those on his right, ‘Come, you (AS)who are blessed by my Father, (AT)inherit (AU)the kingdom (AV)prepared for you (AW)from the foundation of the world. 35 For (AX)I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you (AY)gave me drink, (AZ)I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 (BA)I was naked and you clothed me, (BB)I was sick and you (BC)visited me, (BD)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 (BE)the King will answer them, (BF)‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these (BG)my brothers,[f] you did it to me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, (BH)‘Depart from me, you (BI)cursed, into (BJ)the eternal fire prepared for (BK)the devil and his angels. 42 For (BL)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, (BM)you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away (BN)into eternal punishment, but the righteous (BO)into (BP)eternal life.”

Footnotes

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

A Story about Ten Bridesmaids

25 “When the end comes, the kingdom of heaven will be like ten bridesmaids. They took their oil lamps and went to meet the groom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The foolish bridesmaids took their lamps, but they didn’t take any extra oil. The wise bridesmaids, however, took along extra oil for their lamps. Since the groom was late, all the bridesmaids became drowsy and fell asleep.

“At midnight someone shouted, ‘The groom is here! Come to meet him!’ Then all the bridesmaids woke up and got their lamps ready.

“The foolish ones said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil. Our lamps are going out.’

“But the wise bridesmaids replied, ‘We can’t do that. There won’t be enough for both of us. Go! Find someone to sell you some oil.’

10 “While they were buying oil, the groom arrived. The bridesmaids who were ready went with him into the wedding hall, and the door was shut.

11 “Later the other bridesmaids arrived and said, ‘Sir, sir, open the door for us!’

12 “But he answered them, ‘I don’t even know who you are!’

13 “So stay awake, because you don’t know the day or the hour.

A Story about Three Servants

14 “The kingdom of heaven is like a man going on a trip. He called his servants and entrusted some money to them. 15 He gave one man ten thousand dollars, another four thousand dollars, and another two thousand dollars. Each was given money based on his ability. Then the man went on his trip.

16 “The one who received ten thousand dollars invested the money at once and doubled his money. 17 The one who had four thousand dollars did the same and also doubled his money. 18 But the one who received two thousand dollars went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.

19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The one who received ten thousand dollars brought the additional ten thousand. He said, ‘Sir, you gave me ten thousand dollars. I’ve doubled the amount.’

21 “His master replied, ‘Good job! You’re a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master’s happiness.’

22 “The one who received four thousand dollars came and said, ‘Sir, you gave me four thousand dollars. I’ve doubled the amount.’

23 “His master replied, ‘Good job! You’re a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master’s happiness.’

24 “Then the one who received two thousand dollars came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you are a hard person to please. You harvest where you haven’t planted and gather where you haven’t scattered any seeds. 25 I was afraid. So I hid your two thousand dollars in the ground. Here’s your money!’

26 “His master responded, ‘You evil and lazy servant! If you knew that I harvest where I haven’t planted and gather where I haven’t scattered, 27 then you should have invested my money with the bankers. When I returned, I would have received my money back with interest. 28 Take the two thousand dollars away from him! Give it to the one who has the ten thousand! 29 To all who have, more will be given, and they will have more than enough. But everything will be taken away from those who don’t have much. 30 Throw this useless servant outside into the darkness. People will cry and be in extreme pain there.’

Jesus Will Judge the World

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all his angels are with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 The people of every nation will be gathered in front of him. He will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right but the goats on his left.

34 “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, my Father has blessed you! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me into your home. 36 I needed clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

37 “Then the people who have God’s approval will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or see you thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you as a stranger and take you into our homes or see you in need of clothes and give you something to wear? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40 “The king will answer them, ‘I can guarantee this truth: Whatever you did for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did for me.’

41 “Then the king will say to those on his left, ‘Get away from me! God has cursed you! Go into everlasting fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels! 42 I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me into your homes. I needed clothes, and you didn’t give me anything to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t take care of me.’

44 “They, too, will ask, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or as a stranger or in need of clothes or sick or in prison and didn’t help you?’

45 “He will answer them, ‘I can guarantee this truth: Whatever you failed to do for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you failed to do for me.’

46 “These people will go away into eternal punishment, but those with God’s approval will go into eternal life.”