Matthew 25:8-18

8 "The foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
9 "But the 1prudent answered, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.'
10 "And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were 2ready went in with him to 3the wedding feast; and 4the door was shut.
11 "Later the other virgins also came, saying, '5Lord, lord, open up for us.'
12 "But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.'
13 "6Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

Parable of the Talents

14 "7For it is just like a man 8about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them.
15 "To one he gave five 9talents, to another *, two, and to another *, one, each according to his own ability; and he 10went on his journey.
16 "Immediately the one who had received the five 11talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents.
17 "In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more.
18 "But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

Cross References 11

  • 1. Matthew 7:24; Matthew 10:16; Matthew 25:2f
  • 2. Matthew 24:42f
  • 3. Luke 12:35
  • 4. Matthew 7:21f; Luke 13:25
  • 5. Matthew 7:21f; Luke 13:25
  • 6. Matthew 24:42f
  • 7. Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27
  • 8. Matthew 21:33
  • 9. Matthew 18:24; Luke 19:13
  • 10. Matthew 21:33
  • 11. Matthew 18:24; Luke 19:13

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. A talent was worth about fifteen years' wages of a laborer
  • [b]. Or "lord's"
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