18
But the one given one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
19
"After a long time, the master of those servants returned to settle accounts with them.
20
The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the other five and said, `Sir, you gave me five talents; here, I have made five more.'
21
His master said to him, `Excellent! You are a good and trustworthy servant. You have been faithful with a small amount, so I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and join in your master's happiness!'
22
Also the one who had received two came forward and said, `Sir, you gave me two talents; here, I have made two more.'
23
His master said to him, `Excellent! you are a good and trustworthy servant. You have been faithful with a small amount, so I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and join in your master's happiness!'
24
"Now the one who had received one talent came forward and said, `I knew you were a hard man. You harvest where you didn't plant and gather where you didn't sow seed.
25
I was afraid, so I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here! Take what belongs to you!'
26
`You wicked, lazy servant!' said his master, `So you knew, did you, that I harvest where I haven't planted? and that I gather where I didn't sow seed?
27
Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, so that when I returned, I would at least have gotten back interest with my capital!
28
Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten.