25 5 Mmoja alimpa talanta tano za fedha, mwingine mbili na mwingine moja; kila mmoja alipewa kwa kadiri ya uwezo wake. Kisha akasa firi. Watano walikuwa wajinga na watano walikuwa na busara. Wale wajinga walichukua taa zao bila akiba ya mafuta; lakini wale wenye busara walichukua taa na mafuta ya akiba. Bwana harusi alipoka wia wale wasichana wote walisinzia, wakalala. Usiku wa manane zikapigwa kelele: ‘Bwana harusi anakuja! Tokeni nje kumlaki!’ Wasichana wote wakaamka, wakazitengeneza taa zao. Wale wajinga wakawaambia wale wenye busara, ‘Tupatieni mafuta kidogo, taa zetu zinazimika.’ Lakini wenye busara wakajibu, ‘Pengine hayatatutosha sisi na ninyi pia, afadhali nendeni kwa wauza mafuta mkajinunulie wenyewe.’ 10 Na walipokuwa wamekwenda kunu nua mafuta, bwana harusi akafika. Wale wasichana waliokuwa tayari wakaingia pamoja naye kwenye karamu ya harusi na mlango uka fungwa. 11 Baadaye wale wasichana wengine pia wakaja, wakaita, ‘Bwana! Bwana! Tufungulie mlango!’ 12 Bwana harusi akawajibu, ‘Nawaambieni kweli, siwajui.’ 13 Kwa hiyo kesheni, kwa sababu hamjui siku wala saa”

Watumishi Watatu Walioachiwa Talanta

14 “Pia Ufalme wa mbinguni utafananishwa na mtu aliyekuwa anasafiri, akawaita watumishi wake na kuwakabidhi mali yake.

16 “Yule aliyepewa talanta tano alikwenda mara moja kuzifa nyia biashara akapata talanta tano zaidi. 17 Yule aliyepewa tal anta mbili akafanya hivyo hivyo, akapata mbili zaidi. 18 Lakini yule mtumishi aliyepata talanta moja, alikwenda akachimba shimo akaifukia huko.

19 “Baada ya muda mrefu yule bwana wa hao watumishi alirudi akakagua hesabu za fedha zake alizowaachia. 20 Yule mtumishi aliyepokea talanta tano akaja, akaleta talanta tano zaidi. Akasema, ‘Bwana ulinikabidhi talanta tano, hizi hapa, nimezalisha talanta tano zaidi.’ 21 Bwana wake akamwambia, ‘Umefanya vizuri sana, mtumishi mwema na mwaminifu; umekuwa mwaminifu katika machache; nitakupa mamlaka juu ya vitu vingi zaidi. Njoo ufurahi pamoja na bwana wako.’ 22 Yule mwenye talanta mbili naye akaja. Akasema, ‘Bwana, ulinikabidhi talanta mbili. Nami nimepata faida, hizi hapa talanta mbili zaidi.’ 23 Bwana wake akajibu, ‘Umefanya vizuri sana, mtumishi mwema na mwaminifu; umekuwa mwaminifu katika machache, nami nitakupa mamlaka juu ya vitu vingi zaidi. Njoo ufurahi pamoja na bwana wako.’

Njoo ufurahi pamoja na bwana wako.’

24 Kisha yule mtumishi aliyepokea talanta moja akaja, akasema, ‘Bwana, nilijua kwamba wewe ni mtu mgumu, unavuna ambapo hukupanda na kukusanya ambapo hukutawanya mbegu. 25 Kwa hiyo niliogopa, nikaenda nikaificha talanta yako ardhini. Hii hapa mali yako.’

26 Lakini Bwana wake akamjibu, ‘Wewe mtumishi mwovu na mvivu! Ulijua kwamba ninavuna nisipopanda na kukusanya nisipota wanya mbegu? 27 Mbona basi hukuweka fedha zangu benki ili nita kaporudi nizichukue na faida yake? 28 Mnyang’anyeni hiyo talanta mumpatie yule mwenye talanta kumi.’ 29 Kwa maana kila mtu mwenye kitu ataongezewa, naye atakuwa navyo kwa wingi. Lakini kwa yule asiye na kitu, hata kidogo alicho nacho atanyang’anywa. 30 ‘Mtupeni huyo mtumishi asiyefaa nje kwenye giza, huko kuta kuwa na kilio na kusaga meno.’ ”

Kondoo Na Mbuzi

31 “Mwana wa Adamu atakapokuja katika utukufu wake pamoja na malaika wote, ataketi katika kiti chake cha utukufu cha enzi. 32 Watu wa mataifa yote watakusanyika mbele yake, naye atawaten ganisha kama mchungaji anavyotenganisha kondoo na mbuzi. 33 Atawaweka kondoo upande wa kulia na mbuzi upande wa kushoto. 34 Ndipo Mfalme atawaambia wale walioko upande wa kulia, ‘Njooni ninyi mliobarikiwa na Baba yangu, urithini Ufalme mlioandaliwa tangu mwanzo wa dunia. 35 Kwa maana nilikuwa na njaa mkanipa chakula; nilikuwa na kiu mkanipa kitu cha kunywa; nilikuwa mgeni mkanikaribisha; 36 nilikuwa sina nguo, mkanivisha; nilikuwa mgonjwa mkaja kunitazama; na nilikuwa kifungoni mkaja kunitembe lea.’

37 “Kisha wale wenye haki watamjibu, ‘Bwana, ni lini tuli kuona na njaa tukakulisha au ukiwa na kiu tukakupa kitu cha kunywa ? 38 Na ni lini tulikuona ukiwa mgeni tukakukaribisha au ukihitaji nguo tukakuvisha? 39 Na ni lini tulikuona ukiwa mgonjwa au ukiwa kifungoni tukakutembelea?’

40 “Mfalme atajibu, ‘Ninawaambia kweli, kwa jinsi ambavyo mlivyomfanyia mmojawapo wa hawa ndugu zangu walio wadogo, mlini fanyia mimi.’

41 “Kisha atawaambia wale walio kushoto kwake, ‘Ondokeni kwangu ninyi mliolaaniwa, nendeni katika moto wa milele alioan daliwa shetani na malaika zake. 42 Kwa maana nilikuwa na njaa hamkunipa chakula; nilikuwa na kiu na hamkunipa kitu cha kunywa; 43 nilikuwa mgeni wala hamkunikaribisha; nilikuwa uchi hamkuni vika; na nilikuwa mgonjwa na gerezani nanyi hamkuja kunitazama.’

44 “Ndipo wao pia watajibu, ‘Bwana ni lini tulikuona ukiwa na njaa au kiu, au ukiwa mgeni au ukihitaji nguo, au ukiwa mgonjwa na kifungoni na hatukukuhudumia?’

45 “Naye atawajibu, ‘Nawaambieni kweli, kwa jinsi ambavyo hamkumfanyia mmojawapo wa hawa ndugu zangu walio wadogo, hamkuni fanyia mimi.’

46 “Basi hawa wataingia katika adhabu ya milele, lakini wale wenye haki wataingia katika uzima wa milele.”

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.”

十童女的比喻

25 “那时,天国好比十个童女拿着灯出去迎接新郎。 其中有五个是愚拙的,五个是聪明的。 愚拙的拿着灯,却不预备油; 聪明的拿着灯,又预备油在器皿里。 新郎迟延的时候,她们都打盹睡着了。 半夜有人喊着说:‘新郎来了,你们出来迎接他!’ 那些童女就都起来收拾灯。 愚拙的对聪明的说:‘请分点油给我们,因为我们的灯要灭了。’ 聪明的回答说:‘恐怕不够你我用的,不如你们自己到卖油的那里去买吧。’ 10 她们去买的时候,新郎到了,那预备好了的同他进去坐席,门就关了。 11 其余的童女随后也来了,说:‘主啊,主啊,给我们开门!’ 12 他却回答说:‘我实在告诉你们:我不认识你们。’ 13 所以,你们要警醒,因为那日子、那时辰,你们不知道。

按才干受责任

14 “天国又好比一个人要往外国去,就叫了仆人来,把他的家业交给他们, 15 按着各人的才干给他们银子,一个给了五千,一个给了二千,一个给了一千,就往外国去了。 16 那领五千的随即拿去做买卖,另外赚了五千。 17 那领二千的也照样另赚了二千。 18 但那领一千的去掘开地,把主人的银子埋藏了。 19 过了许久,那些仆人的主人来了,和他们算账。 20 那领五千银子的又带着那另外的五千来,说:‘主啊,你交给我五千银子,请看,我又赚了五千。’ 21 主人说:‘好,你这又良善又忠心的仆人,你在不多的事上有忠心,我要把许多事派你管理。可以进来享受你主人的快乐!’ 22 那领二千的也来,说:‘主啊,你交给我二千银子,请看,我又赚了二千。’ 23 主人说:‘好,你这又良善又忠心的仆人,你在不多的事上有忠心,我要把许多事派你管理。可以进来享受你主人的快乐!’ 24 那领一千的也来,说:‘主啊,我知道你是忍心的人,没有种的地方要收割,没有散的地方要聚敛。 25 我就害怕,去把你的一千银子埋藏在地里。请看,你的原银子在这里。’ 26 主人回答说:‘你这又恶又懒的仆人!你既知道我没有种的地方要收割,没有散的地方要聚敛, 27 就当把我的银子放给兑换银钱的人到我来的时候,可以连本带利收回。 28 夺过他这一千来,给那有一万的! 29 因为凡有的,还要加给他,叫他有余;没有的,连他所有的也要夺过来。 30 把这无用的仆人丢在外面黑暗里,在那里必要哀哭切齿了。’

论审判的日子

31 “当人子在他荣耀里同着众天使降临的时候,要坐在他荣耀的宝座上。 32 万民都要聚集在他面前,他要把他们分别出来,好像牧羊的分别绵羊山羊一般: 33 把绵羊安置在右边,山羊在左边。 34 于是,王要向那右边的说:‘你们这蒙我父赐福的,可来承受那创世以来为你们所预备的国。 35 因为我饿了,你们给我吃;渴了,你们给我喝;我做客旅,你们留我住; 36 我赤身露体,你们给我穿;我病了,你们看顾我;我在监里,你们来看我。’ 37 义人就回答说:‘主啊,我们什么时候见你饿了给你吃,渴了给你喝? 38 什么时候见你做客旅留你住,或是赤身露体给你穿? 39 又什么时候见你病了或是在监里,来看你呢?’ 40 王要回答说:‘我实在告诉你们:这些事你们既做在我这弟兄中一个最小的身上,就是做在我身上了。’ 41 王又要向那左边的说:‘你们这被咒诅的人,离开我,进入那为魔鬼和他的使者所预备的永火里去! 42 因为我饿了,你们不给我吃;渴了,你们不给我喝; 43 我做客旅,你们不留我住;我赤身露体,你们不给我穿;我病了,我在监里,你们不来看顾我。’ 44 他们也要回答说:‘主啊,我们什么时候见你饿了,或渴了,或做客旅,或赤身露体,或病了,或在监里,不伺候你呢?’ 45 王要回答说:‘我实在告诉你们:这些事你们既不做在我这弟兄中一个最小的身上,就是不做在我身上了。’ 46 这些人要往永刑里去,那些义人要往永生里去。”

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like(A) ten virgins who took their lamps(B) and went out to meet the bridegroom.(C) Five of them were foolish and five were wise.(D) The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.(E)

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’(F)

“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.(G) And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’(H)

13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.(I)

The Parable of the Bags of Gold(J)

14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey,(K) who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability.(L) Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag 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.(M) 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.(N) Come and share your master’s happiness!’

22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.(O) Come and share your master’s happiness!’

24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.(P) 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’(Q)

The Sheep and the Goats

31 “When the Son of Man comes(R) in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.(S) 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate(T) the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.(U) 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom(V) prepared for you since the creation of the world.(W) 35 For 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 invited me in,(X) 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me,(Y) I was sick and you looked after me,(Z) I was in prison and you came to visit me.’(AA)

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’(AB)

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me,(AC) you who are cursed, into the eternal fire(AD) prepared for the devil and his angels.(AE) 42 For 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 did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’(AF)

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.(AG)(AH)

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 25:15 Greek five talents … two talents … one talent; also throughout this parable; a talent was worth about 20 years of a day laborer’s wage.