40
Be you also ready, for at an hour when you are not expecting Him the Son of Man will come."
41
"Master," said Peter, "are you addressing this parable to us, or to all alike?"
42
"Who, then," replied the Lord, "is the faithful and intelligent steward whom his Master will put in charge of His household to serve out their rations at the proper times?
43
Blessed is that servant whom his Master when He comes shall find so doing.
44
I tell you truly that He will put him in authority over all His possessions.
45
But if that servant should say in his heart, `My Master is a long time in coming,' and should begin to beat the menservants and the maids, and to eat and drink, drinking even to excess;
46
that servant's Master will come on a day when he is not expecting Him and at an hour that he knows not of, and will punish him severely, and make him share the lot of the unfaithful.
47
And that servant who has been told his Master's will and yet made no preparation and did not obey His will, will receive many lashes.
48
But he who had not been told it and yet did what deserved the scourge, will receive but few lashes. To whomsoever much has been given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been entrusted, of him a larger amount will be demanded.
49
"I came to throw fire upon the earth, and what is my desire? Oh that it were even now kindled!
50
But I have a baptism to undergo; and how am I pent up till it is accomplished!