New Revised Standard NRS
The Message Bible MSG
14 "For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them;
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 talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
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 The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents.
16
Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master's investment.
17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents.
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The second did the same.
18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
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But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master's money.
19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.
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"After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them.
20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, "Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.'
20
The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment.
21 His master said to him, "Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'
21
His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'
22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, "Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.'
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"The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had doubled his master's investment.
23 His master said to him, "Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'
23
His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'
24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, "Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed;
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"The servant given one thousand said, 'Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error.
25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.'
25
I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.'
26 But his master replied, "You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter?
26
"The master was furious. 'That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least?
27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest.
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The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.
28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents.
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"'Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this "play-it-safe" who won't go out on a limb.
29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.
29
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.