6. But at midnight there was a cry: "Behold, the bridegroom is coming, come out to meet him."

7. Then all the virgins arose and straightened their lamps.

8. But the foolish said to the wise, "Give us your oil, for our lamps are going out."

9. And the wise answered: "In order that there may be no shortage both among us and among you, it is better to go to those who sell and buy for yourselves."

10. And when they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him to the wedding feast, and the doors were shut;

11. After that, the other virgins come and say, "Lord! God! open to us."

12. And he answered and said to them, "Truly I say to you, I do not know you."

13. Watch therefore, because you do not know the day or the hour in which the Son of Man will come.

14. For he will act like a man who, going to a foreign country, called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions:

15. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability; and immediately departed.

16. He who received five talents went and put them to work and acquired the other five talents;

17. In the same way, he who received two talents acquired the other two;

18. But the one who received one talent went and buried it in the ground and hid his master's money.

19. After a long time, the lord of those servants comes and demands an account from them.

20. And the one who received the five talents came and brought the other five talents and said, "Lord! Five talents thou hast given me; behold, I have acquired the other five talents with them."

21. His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant! in a few things you have been faithful, I will set you over many; enter into the joy of your master."

22. The one who had received the two talents also came up and said, "Sir! Two talents thou hast given me; behold, I have acquired the other two talents with them."

23. His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant! in a few things you have been faithful, I will set you over many; enter into the joy of your master."

24. The one who had received one talent also came up and said, "Lord! I knew thee that thou wast a cruel man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not scattered;

25. And being afraid, he went and hid your talent in the ground; here's yours for you."

26. And his lord answered and said to him, "Wicked servant and slothful! Thou knowest that I reap where I have not sown, and I gather where I have not scattered;