13
So stay alert, because you know neither the day nor the hour.
14
"For it will be like a man about to leave home for awhile, who entrusted his possessions to his servants.
15
To one he gave five talents [equivalent to a hundred years' wages]; to another, two talents; and to another, one talent -- to each according to his ability. Then he left.
16
The one who had received five talents immediately went out, invested it and earned another five.
17
Similarly, the one given two earned another two.
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!'