1THEN the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to greet the bridegroom and the bride. 2Five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3And the foolish ones took their lamps, but took no oil with them. 4But the wise ones took oil in the vessels with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry, Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to greet him. 7Then all the virgins got up and fixed their lamps. 8And the foolish ones said to the wise ones, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. 9Then the wise ones answered and said, Why, there would not be enough for us and for you; go to those who sell and buy for yourselves. 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and those who were ready entered with him into the wedding house, and the door was locked. 11Afterward the other virgins also came and said, Our lord, our lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said to them, Truly I say to you, I do not know you. 13Be alert, therefore, for you do not know, that day nor the hour.

14It is just like a man who went on a journey, who called his servants and put his wealth in their charge. 15To one he gave five talents, to one two, to another one; to each one according to his ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16The one who received five talents then went and traded with them, and he earned five others. 17Likewise the second one, he gained by trading gained two others. 18But he who received one, went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

19After a long time, the lord of those servants returned, and took an accounting from them. 20Then the one who received five talents came up, and offered five others, and he said, My lord, you gave me five talents; behold, I have gained five others to them. 21His lord said to him, Well done, good and reliable servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will appoint you over much; enter into your master’s joy.

22Then the one with the two talents came and he said, My lord, you gave me two talents, behold I have gained two others to them. 23His lord said to him, Well done, good and reliable servant, you have been faithful over a little, I will appoint you over much; enter into your master’s joy.

24Then the one who received one talent also came up, and he said, My lord, I knew that you are a hard man, and you reap where you did not sow, and gather where you did not scatter. 25So I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground; here it is, it is your own one.

26His lord answered and said to him, O wicked and lazy servant, you knew me that I reap where I did not sow, and I gather where I did not scatter. 27You should then have put my money in the exchange, and when I returned I would have demanded my own with interest. 28Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has ten talents.

29For to him who has, it shall he given, and it shall increase to him; but he who has not, even that which he has shall be taken away from him. 30And the idle servant they threw into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

31When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all his holy angels with him, then he will sit upon the throne of his glory. 32And all nations will gather before him; and he will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33And he will set the sheep at his right, and the goats at his left.

34Then the King will say to those at his right, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom which has been prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; 36I was naked, and you covered me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me. 37Then the righteous will say to him, Our Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you? or thirsty and gave you drink? 38And when did we see you a stranger, and took you in? Or that you were naked, and covered you? 39And when did we see you sick, or in the prison, and come to you? 40The king then will answer and say to them, Truly I tell you, Inasmuch as you have done it to one of these least brethren, you did it to me.

41Then he will also say to those at his left, Go away from me, you cursed, to the everlasting fire, which is prepared for the adversary and his angels. 42For I was hungry, and you did not give me to eat; I was thirsty, and you did not give me to drink; 43I was a stranger, and you did not take me in; I was naked, and you did not cover me; I was sick and in prison and you did not visit me. 44Then they also will answer and say, Our lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick or in the prison, and did not minister to you? 45Then he will answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did not do it to one of these least ones, you also did not do it to me. 46And these shall go into everlasting torment, and the righteous into eternal life.