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25:1 Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

25:2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

25:3 Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,

25:4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

25:5 Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

25:6 But at midnight there was a cry, `Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!`

25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

25:8 The foolish said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.`

25:9 But the wise answered, saying, `What if there will not be enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.`

25:10 While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.

25:11 Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, `Lord, Lord, open to us.`

25:12 But he answered, `Most assuredly I tell you, I don`t know you.`

25:13 Watch therefore, for you don`t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

25:14 For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and delivered his goods to them.

25:15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability, and he went on his journey.

25:16 Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.

25:17 In like manner he also who got the two gained another two.

25:18 But he who received the one went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord`s money.

25:19 Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them.

25:20 He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, `Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.`

25:21 His lord said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.`

25:22 He also who got the two talents came and said, `Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents besides them.`

25:23 His lord said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.`

25:24 He also who had received the one talent came and said, `Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter.

25:25 I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have your own.`

25:26 But his lord answered him, `You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn`t sow, and gather where I didn`t scatter.

25:27 You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest.

25:28 Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.

25:29 For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who has not, even that which he has will be taken away.

25:30 Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness; there will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.`

25:31 But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then will he sit on the throne of his glory.

25:32 Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

25:33 He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

25:34 Then the King will tell them on his right hand, `Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;

25:35 for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in;

25:36 naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.`

25:37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, `Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink?

25:38 When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you?

25:39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?`

25:40 The King will answer them, `Most assuredly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.`

25:41 Then will he say also to them on the left hand, `Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;

25:42 for I was hungry, and you didn`t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink;

25:43 I was a stranger, and you didn`t take me in; naked, and you didn`t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn`t visit me.`

25:44 Then will they also answer, saying, `Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not help you?`

25:45 Then will he answer them, saying, `Most assuredly I tell you, inasmuch as you didn`t do it to one of these least, you didn`t do it to me.`

25:46 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

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