The Parable about the Talents

¹⁴ “Similarly, it is like a man going on a trip, who called his servants and turned his money over to them. ¹⁵ To one man he gave five talents,^[a] to another two, and to another one, based on their ability. Then he went on his trip.

¹⁶ “The one who received five talents^[b] went out at once and invested them and earned five more. ¹⁷ In the same way, the one who had two talents^[c] earned two more. ¹⁸ But the one who received one talent^[d] went off, dug a hole in the ground, and buried his master’s money.

¹⁹ “After a long time, the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ The one who had received five talents came up and brought five more talents. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you gave me five talents. See, I’ve earned five more talents.’

²¹ “His master told him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy servant! Since you’ve been trustworthy with a small amount, I’ll put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master’s joy!’

²² “The one with two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I’ve earned two more talents.

²³ “His master told him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy servant! Since you’ve been trustworthy with a small amount, I’ll put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master’s joy!’

²⁴ “Then the one who had received one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you haven’t planted and gathering where you haven’t scattered any seed. ²⁵ Since I was afraid, I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here, take what’s yours!’

²⁶ “His master answered him, ‘You evil and lazy servant! So you knew that I harvested where I haven’t planted and gathered where I haven’t scattered any seed? ²⁷ Then you should’ve invested my money with the bankers. When I returned, I would’ve received my money back with interest.’ ²⁸ Then the master said,^[e] ‘Take the talent from him and give it to the man who has the ten talents, ²⁹ because to everyone who has something, more will be given, and he’ll have more than enough. But from the person who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away from him. ³⁰ Throw this useless servant into the darkness outside! In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”^[f]