A man who, going to a foreign country, called his slaves and entrusted them with his property. And he gave to one five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability; and immediately set off.
The one who received the five talents went and put them to work and acquired another five talents. In the same way, the one who received two talents acquired the other two. The one who received one talent went and buried it in the ground and hid his master’s money.
After a long time, the master of those slaves comes and demands an account from them. And the one who had received the five talents came and brought another five talents and said:
- Master! You gave me five talents; Behold, I acquired another five talents with them.
His master said to him:
- Okay, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in small things, I will put you over many things; enter into the joy of your master.
The one who had received two talents also came up and said:
- Master! You gave me two talents; behold, I acquired the other two talents with them.
His master said to him:
- Okay, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in small things, I will put you over many things; enter into the joy of your master.
The one who had received one talent came up and said:
- Master! I knew you that you were a cruel man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter, and, being afraid, I went and hid your talent in the ground; here's yours.
His master answered him:
- Crafty and lazy slave! You knew that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter; Therefore, you should have given my silver to the merchants, and when I came, I would have received mine with profit. So, take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents, for to everyone who has it more will be given and he will have an abundance, but from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. But throw the worthless slave into outer darkness: there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru