Part 32

024:051 he will treat him with the utmost severity and assign him a place among the hypocrites: there will be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

025:001 "Then will the Kingdom of the Heavens be found to be like ten bridesmaids who took their torches and went out to meet the bridegroom.

025:002 Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

025:003 For the foolish, when they took their torches, did not provide themselves with oil;

025:004 but the wise, besides their torches, took oil in their flasks.

025:005 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, so that meanwhile they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

025:006 But at midnight there is a loud cry, "`The bridegroom! Go out and meet him!'

025:007 "Then all those bridesmaids roused themselves and trimmed their torches.

025:008 "`Give us some of your oil,' said the foolish ones to the wise, `for our torches are going out.'

025:009 "`But perhaps,' replied the wise, `there will not be enough for all of us. Go to the shops rather, and buy some for yourselves.'

025:010 "So they went to buy. But meanwhile the bridegroom came; those bridesmaids who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet; and the door was shut.

025:011 "Afterwards the other bridesmaids came and cried, "`Sir, Sir, open the door to us.'

025:012 "`In solemn truth I tell you,' he replied, `I do not know you.'

025:013 "Keep awake therefore; for you know neither the day nor the hour.

025:014 "Why, it is like a man who, when going on his travels, called his bondservants and entrusted his property to their care.

025:015 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one-- to each according to his individual capacity; and then started from home.

025:016 Without delay the one who had received the five talents went and employed them in business, and gained five more.

025:017 In the same way he who had the two gained two more.

025:018 But the man who had received the one went and dug a hole and buried his master's money.

025:019 "After a long lapse of time the master of those servants returned, and had a reckoning with them.

025:020 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, and said, "`Sir, it was five talents that you entrusted to me: see, I have gained five more.'

025:021 "`You have done well, good and trustworthy servant,' replied his master; `you have been trustworthy in the management of a little, I will put you in charge of much: share your master's joy.'

025:022 "The second, who had received the two talents, came and said, "`Sir, it was two talents you entrusted to me: see, I have gained two more.'

025:023 "`Good and trustworthy servant, you have done well,' his master replied; `you have been trustworthy in the management of a little, I will put you in charge of much: share your master's joy.'

025:024 "But, next, the man who had the one talent in his keeping came and said, "`Sir, I knew you to be a severe man, reaping where you had not sown and garnering what you had not winnowed.

025:025 So being afraid I went and buried your talent in the ground: there you have what belongs to you.'

025:026 "`You wicked and slothful servant,' replied his master, `did you know that I reap where I have not sown, and garner what I have not winnowed?

025:027 Your duty then was to deposit my money in some bank, and so when I came I should have got back my property with interest.