The Parable of the Ten Virgins
1
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins
25:1
Or bridesmaids
who took their lamps25:1 Or torches, also in vv. 3,4,7,8 and went out to meet the groom.25:1 Mt 13:24; Ac 20:8; Rv 4:5; 19:7; 21:2,9
3When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them;
4but the wise ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps.
5When the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6
“In the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him.’
7
“Then all the virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
8The foolish ones said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’
9
“The wise ones answered, ‘No, there won’t be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell oil, and buy some for yourselves.’
10
“When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut.
25:10
Mt 22:2; Lk 13:25
11Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us!’
12
“He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you!’
13
“Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.
25:13
Other mss add in which the Son of Man is coming.
The Parable of the Talents
14
“For it is just like a man about to go on a journey.
25:14–30
Lk 19:12–27
He called his own servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
15To one he gave five talents,25:15 A talent is worth about 6,000 denarii, or twenty years’ wages for a laborer to another two talents, and to another one talent, depending on each one’s ability. Then he went on a journey.25:15 Mt 18:24; Lk 19:13; Rm 12:6; 1Co 12:11; Eph 4:7 Immediately
16the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more.
17In the same way the man with two earned two more.
18But 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 servants came and settled accounts with them.
20The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I’ve earned five more talents.’
22
“The man with two talents also approached. He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I’ve earned two more talents.’
23
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’
24
“The man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a harsh man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed.
25:24
1Sm 25:3; 2Co 8:12
25So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’
26
“His master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy servant!
25:26
Pr 20:4; Mt 18:32; Rm 12:11
If you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered,
27then25:26–27 Or So you knew... scattered? Then (as a question) you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and I would have received my money25:27 Lit received what is mine back with interest when I returned.
28
“‘So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents.
The Sheep and the Goats
31
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels
25:31
Other mss read holy angels
25:31
Gn 16:7; Mt 5:34; 13:49; Lk 1:11; Ac 5:19; Rv 14:6
with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.25:31 Mt 16:27; 19:28; 2Th 1:7; Jd 14; Rv 1:7
32All the nations25:32 Or the Gentiles25:32 Jl 3:12; Mt 24:14; 28:19; Rm 1:5; Gl 1:16 will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.25:32 Ezk 34:17,20; Mt 13:49
33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on the left.
35
“‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in;
37
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or without clothes and clothe you?
39When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’
41
“Then he will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!
25:41
Mt 7:23; 13:40,42; Mk 9:48; 2Pt 2:4; Jd 6–7
42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink;
43I was a stranger and you didn’t take me in; I was naked and you didn’t clothe me, sick and in prison and you didn’t take care of me.’
44
“Then they too will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help you?’
Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard
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