The Parable of the Talents

A man, leaving on a journey, calls his servants and entrusts his goods to them: five talents to one, two to another, and one to a third, “to every man according to his several ability.” The first two put the money to work and double it. The one who had received only one digs a hole in the ground and hides his master’s money. After a long time, the master returns and settles accounts with them. To the first two he says the same words: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” The third, who says he was afraid, hands back the talent untouched. The master calls him a “wicked and slothful servant,” takes the talent from him to give to the one who has ten, and has him thrown into the outer darkness.