| Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went to meet the bridegroom: five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The foolish took their lamps, but took none oil with them. But the wise took oil with them in their vessels with their lamps also. While the bridegroom tarried, all slumbered and slept. And even at midnight, there was a cry made: behold, the bridegroom cometh, go out against him. Then all those virgins arose, and prepared their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise: give us of your oil, for our lamps go out. But the wise answered saying: Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you: but go rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the wedding, and the gate was shut up. Afterwards came also the other virgins saying: Master, master, open to us. But he answered and said: verily I say unto you: I know not you. Watch therefore: for ye know neither the day not yet the hour, when the son of man shall come.
Likewise as a certain man ready to take his journey to a strange country, called his servants and delivered to them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two and to another one: to every man after his ability, and straight way departed. Then he that had received the five talents, went and bestowed them, and won other five talents. Likewise he that received two, gained other two. But he that received the one, went and digged a pit in the earth, and hid his masters money. After a long season the Lord of those servants came and reckoned with them. Then came he that had received five talents, and brought other five talents saying: master, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold I have gained with them five talents more. Then his master said unto him: well good servant and faithful. Thou hast been faithful in little, I will make thee ruler over much: enter in into thy masters joy. Also he that received two talents, came and said: master, thou deliveredest unto me two talents: behold, I have won two other talents with them. And his master said unto him, well good servant and faithful. Thou hast been faithful in little, I will make thee ruler over much, go in into thy masters joy.
Then he which had received the one talent came and said: master, I considered that thou wast an hard man, which reapest where thou sowedst not, and gatherest where thou *strawedst not, and was therefore afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: Behold, thou hast thine own. His master answered and said unto him: thou evil servant and slothful, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not and gather where I strawed not: thou oughtest therefore to have had my money to the changers, and then at my coming should I have received mine own with vantage. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every man that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance, and from him that hath not, shall be taken away, even that he hath. And cast that unprofitable servant into utter darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
When the son of man cometh in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of his glory, and before him shall be gathered all nations. And he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth the sheep from the goats. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, and the goats on the left. Then shall the King say to them on his right hand: Come ye blessed children of my father, inherit ye the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat. I thirsted, and ye gave me drink. I was harborless, and ye lodged me. I was |
