13. Watch therefore [give strict attention and be cautious and active], for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come.
14. For it is like a man who was about to take a long journey, and he called his servants together and entrusted them with his property.
15. To one he gave five talents [probably about $5,000], to another two, to another one–to each in proportion to his own personal ability. Then he departed and left the country.
16. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he gained five talents more.
17. And likewise he who had received the two talents–he also gained two talents more.
18. But he who had received the one talent went and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
19. Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.
20. And he who had received the five talents came and brought him five more, saying, Master, you entrusted to me five talents; see, here I have gained five talents more.