Matthew 25:26-36

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 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 "'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.
30 Throw him out into utter darkness.'
31 "When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne.
32 Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats,
33 putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.
34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation.
35 And here's why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room,
36 I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.'

Images for Matthew 25:26-36

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.