Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, ang to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received thefive talents went at once and put his money to worl and gained five more. So also, the onc with two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents, See, I ahve gained five more.'

His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happpiness!'

The man with two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gianed two more.'

His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

The man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I know that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gahtering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'

His master replied, 'You wricked, lazy servant! So you know that I harvest where I have not swon and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well thenm you should have put my money on deposit with the hankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

Take the talent form him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkenss, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

MATTHEW 25: 14-30