14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents:  behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant:  thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:  enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents:  behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:  enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth:  lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance:  but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness:  there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The Parable of the Talents

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.  15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability.  Then he went away.  16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.  17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more.  18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.  19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.  20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.  Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.  Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.  Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant!  You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?  27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.  28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.  29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance.  But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.  30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness.  In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’