Parable of Ten Virgins

25 “Then (A)the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their (B)lamps and went out to meet the groom. Five of them were foolish, and five were (C)prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take extra oil with them; but the (D)prudent ones took oil in flasks with their lamps. Now while the groom was delaying, they all became drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight [a]there finally was a shout: ‘Behold, the groom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. But the foolish virgins said to the prudent ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ However, the (E)prudent ones answered, ‘No, there most certainly would not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they were [b]on their way to buy the oil, the groom came, and those who were (F)ready went in with him to (G)the wedding feast; and (H)the door was shut. 11 Yet later, the other virgins also came, saying, ‘(I)Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 (J)Be on the alert then, because you do not know the day nor the hour.

Parable of the Talents

14 (K)For it is just like a man (L)about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five [c](M)talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he (N)went on his journey. 16 The one who had received the five (O)talents immediately went and did business with them, and earned five more talents. 17 In the same way the one who had received the two talents earned two more. 18 But he who received the one talent went away and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his [d]master’s money.

19 “Now after a long time the master of those slaves *came and *(P)settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received the five (Q)talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have earned five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and (R)faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will (S)put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your [e]master.’

22 “Also the one who had received the two (T)talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have earned two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and (U)faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’

24 “Now the one who had received the one (V)talent also came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed. 25 And I was afraid, so I went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you still have what is yours.’

26 “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You [f]worthless, lazy slave! Did you know that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter seed? 27 Then you ought to have [g]put my money in the bank, and [h]on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. 28 Therefore: take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’

29 (W)For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30 And throw the worthless slave into (X)the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The Judgment

31 “But when (Y)the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then (Z)He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 And all the nations will be (AA)gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, (AB)just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep (AC)on His right, but the goats (AD)on the left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, (AE)inherit the kingdom prepared for you (AF)from the foundation of the world. 35 For (AG)I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; (AH)I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 (AI)naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you (AJ)visited Me; (AK)I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 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 And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And (AL)the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, (AM)to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.’

41 “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘(AN)Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the (AO)eternal fire which has been prepared for (AP)the devil and his angels; 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; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ 44 Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or as a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not [i]take care of You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for Me, either.’ 46 These will go away into (AQ)eternal punishment, but the righteous into (AR)eternal life.”

The Plot to Kill Jesus

26 (AS)When Jesus had finished all these words, He said to His disciples, (AT)You know that after two days (AU)the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man is to be (AV)handed over for crucifixion.”

(AW)At that time the chief priests and the elders of the people were gathered together in (AX)the courtyard of the high priest named (AY)Caiaphas; and they (AZ)plotted together to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him. But they were saying, “Not during the festival, (BA)otherwise a riot might occur among the people.”

The Precious Ointment

(BB)Now when Jesus was in (BC)Bethany, at the home of Simon [j]the Leper, (BD)a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very expensive perfume, and she poured it on His head as He was reclining at the table. But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? For this perfume could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you bothering the woman? For she has done a good deed for Me. 11 For you always have (BE)the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. 12 For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it (BF)to prepare Me for burial. 13 Truly I say to you, (BG)wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Judas’ Bargain

14 (BH)Then one of the twelve, named (BI)Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What are you willing to give me [k]to [l](BJ)betray Him to you?” And (BK)they set out for him thirty [m]pieces of silver. 16 And from then on he looked for a good opportunity to [n]betray [o]Jesus.

17 (BL)Now on the first day of [p](BM)Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus and [q]asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 18 And He said, “Go into the city to (BN)a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “(BO)My time is near; I am keeping the Passover at your house with My disciples.”’” 19 The disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.

The Last Passover

20 (BP)Now when evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the [r]twelve. 21 And as they were eating, He said, (BQ)Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” 22 Being deeply grieved, they began saying to Him, each one: “Surely it is not I, Lord?” 23 And He answered, (BR)He who dipped his hand with Me in the bowl is the one who will betray Me. 24 The Son of Man is going away (BS)just as it is written about Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! (BT)It would have been good [s]for that man if he had not been born.” 25 And (BU)Judas, who was betraying Him, said, “Surely it is not I, (BV)Rabbi?” Jesus *said to him, (BW)You have said it yourself.”

The Lord’s Supper Instituted

26 (BX)Now while they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and [t](BY)after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for (BZ)this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for (CA)many for forgiveness of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it with you, new, in My Father’s kingdom.”

30 (CB)And after singing a [u]hymn, they went out to (CC)the Mount of Olives.

31 Then Jesus *said to them, “You will all [v](CD)fall away because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘(CE)I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be (CF)scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised, (CG)I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33 But Peter replied to Him, “Even if they all [w]fall away because of You, I will never fall away!” 34 Jesus said to him, (CH)Truly I say to you that (CI)this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35 Peter *said to Him, “(CJ)Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” All the disciples said the same thing as well.

The Garden of Gethsemane

36 (CK)Then Jesus *came with them to a place called [x](CL)Gethsemane, and *told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 And He took (CM)Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He *said to them, (CN)My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and (CO)keep watch with Me.”

39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let (CP)this cup pass from Me; (CQ)yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40 And He *came to the disciples and *found them sleeping, and He *said to Peter, “So, you men could not (CR)keep watch with Me for one hour? 41 (CS)Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; (CT)the spirit is [y]willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup (CU)cannot pass away unless I drink from it, (CV)Your will be done.” 43 Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 45 Then He *came to the disciples and *said to them, [z]Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, (CW)the hour [aa]is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let’s go; behold, the one who is betraying Me is near!”

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest

47 (CX)And while He was still speaking, behold, (CY)Judas, one of the twelve, came [ab]accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign previously, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; arrest Him.” 49 And immediately Judas went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, (CZ)Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 But Jesus said to him, (DA)Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him.

51 And behold, (DB)one of those who were with Jesus [ac]reached and drew his (DC)sword, and struck the (DD)slave of the high priest and [ad]cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus *said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for (DE)all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve [ae](DF)legions of (DG)angels? 54 How then would (DH)the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”

55 At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a man inciting a revolt? (DI)Every day I used to sit within the temple grounds teaching, and you did not arrest Me. 56 But all this has taken place so that (DJ)the Scriptures of the prophets will be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled.

Jesus before Caiaphas

57 (DK)Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to (DL)Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58 But (DM)Peter was following Him at a distance, as far as the (DN)courtyard of the high priest, and he came inside and sat down with the [af](DO)officers to see the outcome.

59 Now the chief priests and the entire [ag](DP)Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. 60 They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on (DQ)two came forward, 61 and said, “This man stated, ‘(DR)I am able to destroy the [ah]temple of God and to rebuild it [ai]in three days.’” 62 The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You offer no answer for what these men are testifying against You?” 63 But (DS)Jesus kept silent. (DT)And the high priest said to Him, “I (DU)place You under oath by (DV)the living God, to tell us whether You are the [aj]Christ, (DW)the Son of God.” 64 Jesus *said to him, (DX)You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see (DY)the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and (DZ)coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65 Then the high priest (EA)tore his [ak]robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? See, you have now heard the blasphemy; 66 what do you think?” They answered, “(EB)He deserves death!”

67 (EC)Then they (ED)spit in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others [al]slapped Him, 68 and said, “(EE)Prophesy to us, You [am]Christ; who is the one who hit You?”

Peter’s Denials

69 (EF)Now Peter was sitting outside in the (EG)courtyard, and a slave woman came to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” 71 When he had gone out to the gateway, another slave woman saw him and *said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it, with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “You really are one of them as well, (EH)since even the way you talk [an]gives you away.” 74 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the statement that Jesus had [ao]made: (EI)Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 25:6 Lit a shout has occurred
  2. Matthew 25:10 Lit departing
  3. Matthew 25:15 A talent was worth about fifteen years’ wages for a laborer
  4. Matthew 25:18 Or lord’s
  5. Matthew 25:21 Or lord
  6. Matthew 25:26 Or wicked
  7. Matthew 25:27 Lit cast...to the bankers
  8. Matthew 25:27 Lit having come
  9. Matthew 25:44 Or serve
  10. Matthew 26:6 I.e., a nickname; the man no doubt was cured
  11. Matthew 26:15 Lit and I will
  12. Matthew 26:15 Or hand Him over to
  13. Matthew 26:15 I.e., silver shekels
  14. Matthew 26:16 Or hand over
  15. Matthew 26:16 Lit Him
  16. Matthew 26:17 I.e., Passover week
  17. Matthew 26:17 Lit said
  18. Matthew 26:20 One early ms twelve disciples
  19. Matthew 26:24 Lit for him if that man had not
  20. Matthew 26:26 Lit having blessed
  21. Matthew 26:30 Ps 113-118 were traditionally sung at Passover
  22. Matthew 26:31 I.e., have a lapse in faith
  23. Matthew 26:33 I.e., from the faith
  24. Matthew 26:36 I.e., oil press
  25. Matthew 26:41 Or eager
  26. Matthew 26:45 Or Keep on sleeping for the time remaining and
  27. Matthew 26:45 Or has approached
  28. Matthew 26:47 Lit and with him
  29. Matthew 26:51 Lit extended the hand
  30. Matthew 26:51 Lit took off
  31. Matthew 26:53 A legion equaled 6,000 troops
  32. Matthew 26:58 Or servants
  33. Matthew 26:59 Or Sanhedrin
  34. Matthew 26:61 Or sanctuary
  35. Matthew 26:61 Or after
  36. Matthew 26:63 I.e., Messiah
  37. Matthew 26:65 Or outer garments
  38. Matthew 26:67 Or possibly beat Him with rods
  39. Matthew 26:68 I.e., Messiah
  40. Matthew 26:73 Lit makes you evident
  41. Matthew 26:75 Lit said

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