HEN shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
. .2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
. .3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
. .4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
. .5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
. .6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom! Go ye out to meet him.
. .7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
. .8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
. .9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
. .10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut.
. .11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
. .12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
. .13 Watch therefore.
. .14 For it shall be like unto 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 then took his journey.
. .16 Straightway he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made therewith 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 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 strewn:
. .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 strewn:
. .27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with interest.
. .28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
. .29 For unto every one that hath shall more 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.
. .31 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be filled with revellings, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you suddenly like a snare.
. .32 For it shall come upon all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
. .33 But watch ye always and pray, that ye may be with strength to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.