13. “Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.
14. “For it is just like a man going on a journey. He called his own slaves and turned over his possessions to them.
15. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; and to another, one — to each according to his own ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately
16. the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more.
17. In the same way the man with two earned two more.
18. But 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 slaves came and settled accounts with them.
20. The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. Look, I’ve earned five more talents.’
21. “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy! ’
22. “Then the man with two talents also approached. He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. Look, I’ve earned two more talents.’
23. “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy! ’
24. “Then the man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a difficult man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed.
25. So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. Look, you have what is yours.’