¹⁹ “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.^(A)

¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is,^(A) because the Day^(B) will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.^{(C) 14} If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.^{(D) 15} If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.^(E)

¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us^(A) for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

⁷ For none of us lives for ourselves alone,^(A) and none of us dies for ourselves alone. ⁸ If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.^{(B) 9} For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life^(C) so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.^(D)

¹⁰ You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister^[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt?^(E) For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.^{(F) 11} It is written:

¹² So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.^(I)

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

16 Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.^{(A) 2} So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’

⁵ The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.^(A)

⁴⁸ But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’

²³ “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like^(A) a king who wanted to settle accounts^(B) with his servants. ²⁴ As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold^[a] was brought to him.

Taming the Tongue

3 Not many of you should become teachers,^(A) my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged^(B) more strictly.^(C)