14. for it is like a man going from home, who called his own servants and delivered his possessions to them.
15. “And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability, and went from home.
16. “And he who had received the five talents went and worked with them, and made another five talents.
17. “In the same way, he with the two also, he gained two more.
18. “But he who had received the one went away and dug in the ground, and hid the silver of his master.
19. “And after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20. “And he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents. See, I have gained five more talents besides them.’
21. “And his master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy servant. You were trustworthy over a little, I shall set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
22. “Then he who had received two talents came and said, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents. See, I have gained two more talents besides them.’
23. “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy servant. You were trustworthy over a little, I shall set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
24. “And the one who had received the one talent also came and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed,
25. and being afraid, I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’
26. “And his master answering, said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
27. ‘Then you should have put my silver with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.
28. ‘Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to him who possesses ten talents.