15
He gave to each one according to his ability: to one he gave five thousand gold coins, to another he gave two thousand, and to another he gave one thousand. Then he left on his trip.
16
The servant who had received five thousand coins went at once and invested his money and earned another five thousand.
17
In the same way the servant who had received two thousand coins earned another two thousand.
18
But the servant who had received one thousand coins went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master's money.
19
"After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.
20
The servant who had received five thousand coins came in and handed over the other five thousand. "You gave me five thousand coins, sir,' he said. "Look! Here are another five thousand that I have earned.'
21
"Well done, you good and faithful servant!' said his master. "You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!'
22
Then the servant who had been given two thousand coins came in and said, "You gave me two thousand coins, sir. Look! Here are another two thousand that I have earned.'
23
"Well done, you good and faithful servant!' said his master. "You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!'
24
Then the servant who had received one thousand coins came in and said, "Sir, I know you are a hard man; you reap harvests where you did not plant, and you gather crops where you did not scatter seed.
25
I was afraid, so I went off and hid your money in the ground. Look! Here is what belongs to you.'