Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

¹⁴ ”For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property;
¹⁵ to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
¹⁶ He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more.
¹⁷ So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more.
¹⁸ But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.
¹⁹ Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
²⁰ And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, `Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’
<sup>21</sup> His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’
²² And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, `Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’
<sup>23</sup> His master said to him, `Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.’
²⁴ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, `Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow;
<sup>25</sup> so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’
<sup>26</sup> But his master answered him, `You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed?
²⁷ Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
²⁸ So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.
²⁹ For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
³⁰ And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.’