25Verse 1“Then+the kingdom of the heavens will be like ten virgins who, taking their lamps, went out to meet the bridegroom.Verse 2Now five of them were prudent and five foolish.Verse 3Those who were foolish, taking their lamps, did not take [extra] oil with them,Verse 4but the prudent ones took oil in their vessels along with their lamps.+Verse 5Now while the bridegroom delayed they all dozed and slept,Verse 6but at midnight there was a shout: ‘Attention! The bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him.’Verse 7Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.Verse 8And the foolish ones said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’Verse 9But the prudent ones answered saying, ‘No, in case there not be enough for you and us; instead, go to those who sell and buy for yourselves.’Verse 10But while they went to buy, the bridegroom arrived, and the ones who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast—and the door was shut!Verse 11Later the other virgins arrived too saying, ‘Lord, lord, open for us!’Verse 12But in answer he said, ‘Assuredly I say to you, I do not know you.’Verse 13Therefore, keep alert, because you do not know the day nor the hour in which the Son of the Man is coming.+
Parable of the talents
Verse 14“Because the kingdom is also like a man about to go on a long journey, who called his own servants and entrusted his possessions to them.Verse 15To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on the journey.Verse 16So the one who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.Verse 17So also the one who received the two gained another two as well.Verse 18But he who received the one went off and dug in the ground and hid his lord's silver.Verse 19“Then, after a long time, the lord of those servants comes and settles accounts with them.Verse 20“So the one who had received the five talents approached and brought five more talents saying, ‘Lord, you entrusted five talents to me; see, I gained five more talents besides them!’Verse 21His lord said to him: ‘Super, you good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’Verse 22So the one who had received the two talents also approached and said, ‘Lord, you entrusted two talents to me; see, I gained two more talents besides them!’Verse 23His lord said to him: ‘Super, you good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’+Verse 24“Then he who had received the one talent also approached and said: ‘Lord, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter.Verse 25And being afraid I went off and hid your talent in the ground; here, take what is yours.’+Verse 26So in answer his lord said to him: ‘You wicked and lazy servant! You knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter.+Verse 27Therefore you were obligated to deposit my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received what is mine with interest.Verse 28Therefore, take the talent away from him and give it to the one having the ten talents.Verse 29For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but the one who does not have, even what he thinks that he has+will be taken away from him.+Verse 30And throw out the useless servant,+into the darkness farthest out!’ There, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Judgment in preparation for the Millennium
Verse 31“When the Son of the Man comes in His glory,+and all the holy angels with Him,+then He will sit on His throne of glory.Verse 32And all the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another,+just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.Verse 33And the sheep He will place on His right, but the goats on His left.Verse 34Then the King will say to those on His right: ‘Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you at the foundation of the world.+Verse 35For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in;Verse 36I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me.’Verse 37Then the righteous will answer Him saying: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?Verse 38When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or naked and clothe you?Verse 39Or when did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?’Verse 40And in answer the King will say to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’+Verse 41“Then He will also say to those on His left: ‘Go away from me, you accursed ones, into the eternal fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels.+Verse 42For I was hungry and you did not give me food; I was thirsty and you did not give me drink;Verse 43I was a stranger and you did not take me in; I was naked and you did not clothe me; I was sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’Verse 44Then they also will answer saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister to you?’Verse 45Then He will answer them saying, ‘Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these,+neither did you do it to me.’+Verse 46And they will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”