[Jesus said to the disciples:] 14“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned
his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15to one he gave five talents, to
another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went
away. 16The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with
them, and made five more talents. 17In the same way, the one who had the two
talents made two more talents. 18But the one who had received the one talent went
off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19After a long time the
master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20Then the one who
had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying,
‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more
talents.’ 21His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have
been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into
the joy of your master.’ 22And the one with the two talents also came forward,
saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more
talents.’ 23His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have
been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into
the joy of your master.’ 24Then the one who had received the one talent also came
forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did
not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25so I was afraid, and I went
and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26But his master
replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not
sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27Then you ought to have invested my
money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own
with interest. 28So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten
talents. 29For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an
abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken
away. 30As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there
will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ ” (Matthew 25:14-30)
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