^{1 Ref} Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

^{2 Ref} And five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

^{3 Ref} For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them:

^{4 Ref} but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

^{5 Ref} Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

^{6 Ref} But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him.

^{7 Ref} Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

^{8 Ref} And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out.

^{9 Ref} But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

^{10 Ref} And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut.

^{11 Ref} Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

^{12 Ref} But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

^{13 Ref} Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.

^{14 Ref} For `it is' as `when' a man, going into another country, called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

^{15 Ref} And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey.

^{16 Ref} Straightway he that received the five talents went and traded with them, and made other five talents.

^{17 Ref} In like manner he also that `received' the two gained other two.

^{18 Ref} But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

^{19 Ref} Now after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them.

^{20 Ref} And he that received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: lo, I have gained other five talents.

^{21 Ref} His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

^{22 Ref} And he also that `received' the two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: lo, I have gained other two talents.

^{23 Ref} His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

^{24 Ref} And he also that had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou didst not scatter;

^{25 Ref} and I was afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own.

^{26 Ref} But his lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I did not scatter;

^{27 Ref} thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back mine own with interest.

^{28 Ref} Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him that hath the ten talents.

^{29 Ref} For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away.

^{30 Ref} And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.