"I perceived how that it was impossible to establish the lay people in any truth except the scripture were plainly laid before their eyes in their mother tongue". -William Tyndale
The Parables of Jesus
Arranged in Chronological Order
Parable of the Sower (in Capernaum)
Matthew 13:1-23 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side, and much people resorted unto him, so greatly that he went, and sat in a ship, and all the people stood on the shore. And he spake many things to them in similitudes, saying: Behold, the sower went forth to sow. And as he sowed, some fell by the ways side, and the fowls came, and devoured it up. Some fell upon stony ground where it had not much earth, and anon it sprong up, because it had no depth of earth: And when the sun was up, it caught heat, and for lack of rooting withered away. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns arose and choked it. Part fell in good ground, and brought forth good fruit: some an hundred fold, some fifty fold, some thirty fold. Whosoever hath ears to hear, let him hear. And his disciples came, and said to him: Why speakest thou to them in parables? He answered and said unto them: It is given unto you to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given: and he shall have abundance. But whosoever hath not: from him shall be taken away even that same that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in similitudes. For though they see, they see not: and hearing they hear not: nether understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esay, which prophecy saith: with your ears ye shall hear, and shall not understand, and with your eyes ye shall see, and shall not perceive. For this people’s heart is waxed gross. And their ears were dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed, lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their hearts, and should turn, that I might heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Verily I say unto you, that many prophets and perfect men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them: and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Hear ye therefore the similitude of the sower. When a man heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, there cometh the evil man, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. And this is he which was sown by the way side. But he that was sown in the stony ground, is he, which heareth the word of God, and anon with joy receiveth it, yet hath no roots in himself, and therefore dureth but a season: for as soon as tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he falleth. He that was sown among thorns, is he, that heareth the word of God, but the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and so is he made unfruitful. He which is sown in the good ground, is he, that heareth the word and understandeth it, which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundred fold, some fifty fold, and some thirty fold.
Parable of the Tares (in Capernaum)
Matthew 13:24-43 Another similitude put he forth, unto them saying: The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man which sowed good seed in his field. But while men slept, there came his foe, and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. When the blade was sprung up, and had brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. The servants came to the householder, and said unto him. Sir sowest not thou good seed in thy close, from whence then hath it tares? He said to them, the envious man hath done this. Then the servants said unto him: wilt thou then that we go and gather it? and he said, nay, lest while ye go about to weed out the tares, ye pluck up also with them the wheat by the roots: let both grow together till harvest come, and in time of harvest, I will say yea unto my reapers, gather ye first the tares, and bind them in sheaves to be brent: but gather the wheat into my barn. Another parable he put forth unto them saying: The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man taketh and soweth in his field, which is the least of all seeds. But when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and is a tree: so that the birds of the air come, and build in the branches of it. Another similitude said he to them. The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven which a woman took and hideth in three pecks of meal, till all was leavened. All these things spake Jesus unto the people by similitudes, and with out similitudes spake he nothing to them, to fulfil that which was spoken by the prophet saying: I will open my mouth in similitudes, and will speak forth things which have been kept secret from the beginning of the world. Then sent Jesus the people away, and came to house, and his disciples came unto him, saying: declare unto us the similitude of the tares of the field: Then answered he and said to them. He that soweth the good seed, is the son of man, the field is the world. The children of the kingdom are the good seed. The evil man’s children are the tares. But the enemy which soweth it, is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers be the angels. For even as the tares are gathered, and brent in the fire: so shall it be in the end of this world. The son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that do hurt, and all them which do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire. There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the just men shine as bright as the son in the kingdom of their father. Whosoever hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Parable of the Seed Springing up Imperfectly (in Capernaum)
Mark 4:26-29 And he said: so is the kingdom of God, even as if a man should sow seed in the ground, and should sleep and rise up night and day: and the seed should spring, and grow up while he is not ware. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself, first the blade, then the ears, after that full corn in the ears. And as soon as the fruit is brought forth, anon he thrusteth in the sickle because that harvest is come.
Parable of the Grain of Mustard Seed (in Capernaum)
Matthew 13:31-32 Another parable he put forth unto them saying: The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man taketh and soweth in his field, which is the least of all seeds. But when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and it is a tree: so that the birds of the air come, and build in the branches of it.
Parable of the Leaven (in Capernaum)
Matthew 13:33 The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven which a woman taketh and hideth in three pecks of meal, till all was leavened.
Parable of the Found Treasure(v.44), the Precious Pearl(v.45), and the Net(v.47)
Matthew 13:44 Whosoever hath ears to hear, let him hear. Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in the field, the which a man found and hid it: and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant, seeking good pearls, which when he had found one precious pearl, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net cast in to the sea, that gathereth of all kinds (of fishes): the which when it is full, men draw to land, and sit and gather the good into their vessels, and cast the bad away
Parable of the Two Debtors (in Capernaum)
Luke 7:41-43 There was a certain lender, which had two debtors, the one ought five hundred pence, and the other fifty. When they had nothing to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them tell me, will love him most? Simon answered, and said: I suppose that he to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him: Thou hast truly judged.
Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (in Capernaum)
Matthew 18:23-35 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain King, which would take accounts of his servants, and when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which ought him ten thousand talents: but when he had nought to pay, the Lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and his children: and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant fell down and besought him saying: Sir, give me respite, and I will pay it every whit. Then had the Lord pity on that servant, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. The same servant went out and found one of his fellows, which ought him an hundred pence. And laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying: pay that thou owest. And his fellow fell down, and besought him, saying: have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not, but went and cast him in to prison, till he should pay the debt. When his other fellows saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their Lord all that had happened. Then the Lord called him, and said unto him. O evil servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou praydest me: Was it not mete also, that thou shouldest have had compassion on thy fellow, even as I had pity on thee? And his Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all that was due to him. So like wise shall your heavenly father do unto you, if ye will not forgive with your hearts, each one to his brother their trespasses.
Parable of the Samaritan (near Jericho)
Luke 10:25-37 And mark; A certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him saying: Master what shall I do, to inherit eternal life? He said unto him: What is written in the law? How readest thou? And he answered and said: Thou shalt love thy Lord God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind: and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him: Thou hast answered right. This do and thou shalt live. He willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus: Who is then my neighbor? Jesus answered and said: A certain man descended from Jerusalem into Jericho; And fell into the hands of thieves, which robbed him of his raiment and wounded him, and departed leaving him half dead. And it chanced that there came a certain priest that same way, and saw him, and passed by. And likewise a levite, when he was come nye to the place, went and looked on him, and passed by. Then a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came nye unto him, and beheld him, and had compassion on him, and came to him, and bound up his wounds, and poured in wine, and oil, and laid him on his beast, and brought him to a common hostry, and drest him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host and said unto him: Take care of him, and whatsoever thou spendest above this, when I come again I will recompense thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou was neighbor unto him that fell into the thieves hands? And he answered: he that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him. Go and do thou likewise.
Parable of the Rich Fool (Galilee)
Luke 12:16-21 And he put forth a similitude unto them saying: The lands of a certain man brought forth fruits plenteously, and he thought in himself saying: what shall I do? because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said: This will I do. I will destroy my barns, and build greater, and therein will I gather all my fruits, and my goods: and I will say to my soul: Soul thou hast much goods laid up in store for many years, take thine ease: eat, drink and be merry. But God said unto him: Thou fool, this night will they fetch away thy soul again from thee. Then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided? So is it with him that gathered riches, and is not rich in God.
Parable of the Servants who waited for their Lord (Galilee)
Luke 12:35-48 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning, and ye yourselves, like unto men, that watch for their master when he will return from a wedding: that as soon as he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him. Happy are those servants, which their lord, when he cometh, shall find walking; Verily I say unto you, he will gird himself about, and make them sit down to meat, and walk by them, and minister unto them. And if he come in the second watch, ye if he come in the third watch, and shall find them so, happy are those servants. This shall ye understand, that if the good man of the house, had known what hour the thief would have come, he would surely have watched: and not have suffered his house to have been broken up. Be ye prepared therefore for the son of man will come at an hour when ye think, not. Then Peter said unto him: Master tellest thou this similitude unto us, or to all men? And the Lord said: who is a faithful steward, and a discreet, whom his Lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their duty of meat, at due season. Happy is that servant, whom his master when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you: that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if the evil servant shall say in his heart: My master will defer his coming, and shall begin to smite the servants, and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken: the Lord of that servant will come in a day, when he thinketh not, and at an hour when he is not ware, and will divide him, and will give him his reward, with the unbelievers. The servant that knew his master’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and hath committed things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whom much is given: of him shall be much required. And to whom men much commit, the more of him will they ask.
Parable of the Barren Fig Tree (Galilee)
Luke 12:6-9 He put forth this similitude; A certain man had a fig tree in his vineyard, and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he to the dresser of his vineyard: Behold this three year have I come and sought fruit in this fig tree, and find none, cut it down: why cumbereth it the ground? And he answered and said unto him: Lord let it alone this year also, till I dig round about it, and dung it, to see whether it will bear fruit: if not, then after that, cut it down.
Parable of the Lost Sheep (Galilee)
Luke 15:3-7 Then put he forth this similitude to them saying: What man of you having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them doth not leave ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after him which is lost, until he find him? And when he hath found him, he putteth him on his shoulders with joy: And as soon as he cometh home he calleth together his lovers, and neighbours saying unto them: rejoice with me for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance
Parable of the Lost Piece of Money (Galilee)
Luke 15:8-10 Either what women having ten groats, if she lose one, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently, till she find it? And when she hath found it she calleth her lovers, and her neighbours saying: Rejoice with me, for I have found the groat which I had lost. Likewise I say unto you, joy shall be in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth
Parable of the Prodigal Son (Galilee)
Luke 15:11-32 And he said: a certain man had two sons, and the younger of them said to his father: father give me my part of the goods that to me belongeth. And he divided unto them his substance. And not long after, the younger son gathered all that he had to- gether, and took his journey into a far country, and there he wasted his goods with riotous living. And when he had spent all that he had, there rose a great dearth thorowout all that same land. And he began to lack. And he went, and clave to a citizen of that same country, which sent him to his field, to keep his swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the cods, that the swine ate: and no man gave him. Then he came to himself and said: how many hired servants at my father’s have bread enough, and I die for hunger. I will arise, and go to my father, and will say unto him: father, I have sinned against and before thee, now am I not worthy to be called thy son, make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran unto him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him: father I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, neither am I worthy henceforth to be called thy son. Then said the father to his servants: bring forth that best garment, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring hither that fatted calf, and kill him, and let us eat and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is now found. And they began to make good chear. The elder brother was in the field, and when he came and drew nye to the house, he heard minstrelsy, and dancing, and called one of his servants, and asked what those things meant. He said unto him: thy brother is come, and thy father had killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in. Then came his father out, and entreated him, he answered and said to his father: Lo these many years have I done thee service, neither brake at any time thy commandment, and yet gavest thou me never so much as a kid to make merry with my lovers: but as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy goods with harlots, thou hast for his pleasure killed the fatted calf. And he said unto him: Son, thou wast ever with me, and all that I have is thine: it was meet that we should make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again: and was lost, and is found.
Parable of the Dishonest Steward (Galilee)
Luke 16:1-12 He said also unto his disciples. There was a certain rich man, which had a steward, that was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him: How is it, that I hear this of thee? Give accounts of thy stewardship. For thou mayest be no longer my steward. The steward said within himself: what shall I do? for my master will take away from me the stewardship. I cannot dig, and to beg, I am ashamed. I wot what to do, that when I am put out of my stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. Then called he all his master’s debtors, and said unto the first: how much owest thou unto my master? And he said: an hundred tuns of oil, and he said to him: take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another: what owest thou? And he said: an hundred quarters of wheat. He said to him: Take thy bill, and write fourscore. And the Lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely. For the children of this world, are in their kind, wiser then the children of light. And I say also unto you: make you friends of the wicked mammon, that when ye shall have need they may receive you into everlasting habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least: the same is faithful in much. So then if ye have not been faithful in the wicked mammon? who will believe you in that which is true? and if ye have not been faithful in another man’s business: who shall give you your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he shall hate the one and love the other, or else he shall lean to the one, and despise the other.
Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Galilee)
Luke 16:19-31 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple, and fine rayons, and fared deliciously every day. And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, which lay at his gate full of sores desiring to be refreshed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s board.(and no man gave unto him) Nevertheless, the dogs came, and licked his sores. And it fortuned that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: The rich man also died, and was buried in hell. When he lift up his eyes, as he was in torments, he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom; And cried and said: father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame. Abraham said unto him: Son remember, that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy pleasure, and contrariwise Lazarus pain. Now therefore is he comforted, and thou art punished. Beyond all this between you and us there is a great space set, so that they which would go from hence to you, cannot: neither from thence come hither. And he said: I pray thee therefore father, send him to my father’s house. For I have five brethren: for to warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham said unto him: they have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them. And he said: nay father Abraham, but if one from the dead came unto them they would repent. He said unto him: If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, though one rose from death again.
Parable of the Unjust Judge (Peræa)
Luke 18:1-8 He put forth a similitude unto them, signifying that men ought always to pray, and not to be weary, saying: There was a Judge in a certain city, which feared not God neither regarded man. And there was a certain widow in the same city, which came unto him saying: Avenge me of mine adversary. And a great while he would not. Afterward he said unto himself: Though I fear not God, nor care for man, yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest at the last she come, and rail on me. And the Lord said: hear what the unrighteous judge sayeth. And shall not God avenge his elect, which cry night and day unto him? Yea though he defer them: I tell you, he will avenge them, and that quickly. Nevertheless, when the son of man cometh, suppose ye, that he shall find faith on earth.
Parable of the Pharisee and Publican (Peræa)
Luke 18:9-14 And he put forth this similitude, unto certain which trusted in themselves, that they were perfect, and despised other. Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a pharisee, and the other a publican. The pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself. God I thank thee that I am not as other are, extortioners, unjust, advoutrers, and even as the publican is. I fast twice in the week. I give tithe of all that I possess. And the publican stood afar off, and would not lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote his breast, saying: God be mercyfull to me a sinner
Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Peræa)
Matthew 20:1-16 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto an householder which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. And he agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, and sent them in to his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw other standing idle in the marketplace, and said unto them: go ye also into my vineyard, and whatsoever is right, I will give you: and they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And he went out about the eleventh hour and found other standing idle, and said unto them: Why stand ye here all the day idle? They said unto him: Because no man hath hired us. He said to them: go ye also into my vineyard, and whatsoever shall be right, that shall ye receive. When even was come, the Lord of the vineyard, said unto his steward: call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning at the last, till thou come to the first. And they which were hired about the eleventh hour, came and received every man a penny. Then came the first, supposing that they should receive more, and they like wise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they grudged against the good man of the house, saying: These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us which have borne the burden and heat of the day. He answered to one of them, saying: Friend I do thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penny? Take that which is thy duty, and go thy way. I will give unto this
last, as much as to thee. Is it not lawful for me to do as me listeth, with mine own? Is thine eye evil because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first shall be last. For many are called, and few be chosen.
Parable of the Pounds (Jericho)
Luke 19:12-27 They thought that the kingdom of God should shortly appear. He said therefore: A certain noble man, went into a far country, to receive a kingdom, and then to come again. He called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds saying unto them: Buy and sell till I come: But his citizens hated him, and sent messengers after him, saying: We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, when he was come again and had received his kingdom, he commanded his servants, to be called to him (to whom he gave his money) to wit what every man had done. Then came the first saying: Lord, thy pound hath increased ten pounds. And he said unto him: Well good servant, because thou wast faithful in a very little thing; Take thou authority over ten cities. And the other came saying: Lord thy pound, hath increased five pounds. And to the same he said: And be thou also ruler over five cities. And the third came, and said: Lord, behold here thy pound, which I have kept in a napkin, for I feared thee, because thou art a strait man: thou takest up that thou laidst not down; And reapest that thou didst not sow. And he said unto him: Of thine own mouth judge I thee thou evil servant. Knewest thou that I am a strait man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow? Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank? And then at my coming should I have required mine own, with vantage. And he said to them that stood by: Take from him that pound, and give it him that hath ten pounds. And they said unto him: Lord he hath ten pounds. I say unto you, that unto all them that have, it shall be given: (and he shall have abundance) and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away. Moreover those mine enemies, which would not, that should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me
Parable of the Two Sons (Jerusalem)
Matthew 21:28-32 What say ye to this? A certain man had two sons, and came to the elder saying: go and work today in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward repented and went. Then came he to the second, and said like wise, and he answered and said: I will sir: yet went he not. Whether of these two fulfilled their father’s will? And they said unto him: The first. Jesus said unto them: Verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots shall come into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you, in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not. But the publicans and the whores believed him. But ye (though ye saw it) yet were not moved with repentance, that ye might afterward have believed him
Parable of the Vineyard (Jerusalem)
Matthew 21:33-46 Hearken another similitude. There was a certain householder, which set a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and made a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a strange country. And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, to receive the fruits of it, and the husbandmen caught his servants, and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants more than the first, and they served them likewise. But last of all, he sent unto them his own son, saying: they will fear my son. When the husbandmen saw his son, they said among them selves: This is the heir, come on let us kill him, and let us take his inheritance, to our selves. And they caught him and thrust him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the Lord of the vineyard cometh: what will he do with those husbandmen? They said unto him: he will evil destroy those evil persons, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall deliver him his fruit at times convenient. Jesus said unto them: did ye never read in the scriptures? The same stone which the builders refused, is set in the principal part of the corner: this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. Therefore say I unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and shall be given to the Gentiles which shall bring forth the fruits of it. And whosoever shall fall on this stone, shall be alto broken. And whosoever this stone shall fall upon, he shall grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and pharisees heard these similitudes they perceived that he spake of them. And they went about to lay hands on him, but they feared the people, because they counted him as a prophet.
Parable of the Marriage Feast (Jerusalem)
Matthew 22:1-14 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again, in similitudes, saying: The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain King, which married his son, and sent forth his servants, to call them that were bid to the wedding, and they would not come. Again he sent forth other servants, saying: tell them which are bidden: Lo I have prepared my dinner, mine oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready, come unto the marriage. They made light of it, and went their ways: one to his firm place, another about his merchandise, the remnant took his servants, and intreated them ungodly, and slew them. When the King heard that, he was wroth, and sent forth his warriors and destroyed those murderers, and burnt up their city. Then said he to his servants: The wedding was prepared: but they which were bidden thereto, were not worthy. Go ye therefore out into the high ways, and as many as ye find, bid them to the marriage. The servants went out into the ways, and gathered together as many as they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding was furnished with guests. Then the King came in, to visit the guests, and spied there a man which had not on a wedding garment, and said unto him: Friend, how camest thou in hither, and hast not on a wedding garment? and he was even speechless. Then said the King to his ministers: Take and bind him hand and foot, and cast him into utter darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called and few be chosen.
Parable of the Virgins (Jerusalem)
Matthew 25:1-13 Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went to meet the bridegroom:(and the bride) five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The foolish took their lamps, but took none oil with them. But the wise took oil with them in their vessels with their lamps also. While the bridegroom tarried, all slumbered and slept. And even at midnight, there was a cry made: behold, the bridegroom cometh, go and meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and prepared their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise: give us of your oil, for our lamps go out? But the wise answered, saying: not so, lest there be not enough for us and you, but go rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. In conclusion while they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the wedding, and the gate was shut up. Afterwards came also the other virgins, saying: master, master open to us. But he answered, and said: verily I say unto you: I know you not: look that ye watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor yet the hour, when the son of man shall come
Parable of the Talents (Jerusalem)
Matthew 25:14-30 Likewise as a certain man ready to take his journey to a strange country, called his servants to him, and delivered to them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two and to another one: to every man after his ability, and straight way departed. Then he that had received the five talents, went and bestowed them, and won other five. Likewise he that received two gained other two. But he that received one, went and digged a pit in the earth and hid his master’s money. After a long season the Lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. Then came he that had received five talents, and brought other five saying: master, thou deliveredst unto me five talents, lo I have gained with them five more. His master said unto him: well good servant and faithful; Thou hast been faithful in little, I will make thee ruler over much: enter in into thy master’s joy. Also he that received two talents came, and said: master, thou deliveredest unto me two talents: lo I have won two other talents with them. His master said unto him, well good servant and faithful thou hast been faithful in little, I will make thee ruler over much, go in into thy master’s joy. He which had received the one talent came also, and said: master, I considered that thou wast an hard man, which reapest where thou sowedst not, and gatherest where thou strawedst not, and was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own. His master answered, and said unto him: evil servant and slothful, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I strawed not: thou oughtest therefore to have had my money to the changers, and then at my coming should I have received my money with vantage. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every man that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance. And from him that hath not, shall be taken away, even that he hath. And cast that unprofitable servant into utter darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Jerusalem)
Matthew 25:31-46 When the son of man shall come in his majesty, and all his holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of his majesty, and before him shall be gathered all nations. And he shall sever them one from another, as a shepherd putteth asunder the sheep from the goats. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, and the goats on the left hand. Then shall the King say to them on his right hand: Come ye blessed children of my father, inherit ye the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat. I thirsted, and ye gave me drink. I was harborless, and ye lodged me. I was naked and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye visited me. I was in prison and ye came unto me. Then shall the just answer him saying: master, when, saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or a thirst, and gave thee drink? when saw we thee harborless, and lodged thee? or naked and clothed thee? or when saw we thee sick, or in prison and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them: verily I say unto you: inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren: ye have done it to me. Then shall the King say unto them that shall be on the left hand: depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat. I thirsted, and ye gave me no drink. I was harborless, and ye lodged me not. I was naked, and ye clothed me not. I was sick and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him saying: master, when saw we thee an hungered, or a thirst, or harborless, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and have not ministered unto thee? then shall he answer them, and say: Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go into everlasting pain: And the righteous into life eternal.