Matthew 25:13-23

13 "So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive.
14 "It's also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities.
15 To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left.
16 Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master's investment.
17 The second did the same.
18 But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master's money.
19 "After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them.
20 The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment.
21 His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'
22 "The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had doubled his master's investment.
23 His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.