14

For it is as when a man, about to take a journey, got his servants together, and gave them his property.

15

And to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one to everyone as he was able and he went on his journey.

16

Straight away he who had been given the five talents went and did trade with them, and made five more.

17

In the same way he who had been given the two got two more.

18

But he who was given the one went away and put it in a hole in the earth, and kept his lord's money in a secret place.

19

Now after a long time the lord of those servants comes, and makes up his account with them.

20

And he who had the five talents came with his other five talents, saying, Lord, you gave into my care five talents: see, I have got five more.

21

His lord said to him, Well done, good and true servant: you have been true in a small thing, I will give you control over great things: take your part in the joy of your lord.

22

And he who had the two talents came and said, Lord, you gave into my care two talents: see, I have got two more.

23

His lord said to him, Well done, good and true servant: you have been true in a small thing, I will give you control over great things: take your part in the joy of your lord.

24

And he who had had the one talent came and said, Lord, I had knowledge that you are a hard man, getting in grain where you have not put seed, and making profits for which you have done no work:

25

And I was in fear, and went away, and put your talent in the earth: here is what is yours.

26

But his lord in answer said to him, You are a bad and unready servant if you had knowledge that I get in grain where I did not put seed, and make profits for which I have done no work,

27

Why, then, did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I would have got back what is mine with interest?

28

Take away, then, his talent and give it to him who has the ten talents.

29

For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have more: but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

30

And put out the servant who is of no profit into the outer dark: there will be weeping and cries of sorrow.