Matthew 25:14-28

Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Parable of the Talents

¹⁴ “For it is just like a man going on a journey.^(A) He called his own slaves and turned over his possessions to them. ¹⁵ To one he gave five talents;^[a] to another, two; and to another, one—to each according to his own ability. Then he went on a journey.^(B) Immediately ¹⁶ the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. ¹⁷ In the same way the man with two earned two more. ¹⁸ But the man who had received 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 slaves came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. Look, I’ve earned five more talents.’

²¹ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’^(C)

²² “Then the man with two talents also approached. He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. Look, I’ve earned two more talents.’

²³ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’

²⁴ “Then the man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a difficult man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed.^{(D) 25} So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. Look, you have what is yours.’

²⁶ “But his master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy slave!^(E) If you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered, ²⁷ then^[b] you should have deposited my money with the bankers. And when I returned I would have received my money^[c] back with interest.

²⁸ “‘So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has 10 talents.