Life Recovery Bible - Flipbook - Page 50
Page 1236 / M atthew 2 5
37
“When the Son of Man returns, it will
be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days
before the flood, the people were enjoying
banquets and parties and weddings right up
to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People
didn’t realize what was going to happen until
the flood came and swept them all away.
That is the way it will be when the Son of
Man comes.
40
“Two men will be working together in
the field; one will be taken, the other left.
41
Two women will be grinding flour at the
mill; one will be taken, the other left.
42
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you
don’t know what day your Lord is coming.
43
Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would
keep watch and not permit his house to be
broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the
time, for the Son of Man will come when
least expected.
45
“A faithful, sensible servant is one to
whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants
and feeding them. 46 If the master returns and
finds that the servant has done a good job,
there will be a reward. 47 I tell you the truth,
the master will put that servant in charge
of all he owns. 48 But what if the servant is
evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back
for a while,’ 49 and he begins beating the
other servants, partying, and getting drunk?
50
The master will return unannounced and
unexpected, 51 and he will cut the servant to
pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.
CHAPTER 25
Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like
ten bridesmaids* who took their lamps and
went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them
were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five
who were foolish didn’t take enough olive
oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were
wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When
the bridegroom was delayed, they all became
drowsy and fell asleep.
6
“At midnight they were roused by the
shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming!
Come out and meet him!’
7
“All the bridesmaids got up and prepared
their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked
the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil
because our lamps are going out.’
9
“But the others replied, ‘We don’t have
enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy
some for yourselves.’
10
“But while they were gone to buy oil,
the bridegroom came. Then those who were
ready went in with him to the marriage feast,
and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the
other five bridesmaids returned, they stood
outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door
for us!’
12
“But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t
know you!’
13
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you
do not know the day or hour of my return.
Parable of the Three Servants
14
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be
illustrated by the story of a man going on
a long trip. He called together his servants
and entrusted his money to them while he
was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver* to
one, two bags of silver to another, and one
bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his
trip.
16
“The servant who received the five bags of
silver began to invest the money and earned
five more. 17 The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more.
18
But the servant who received the one bag of
silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the
master’s money.
19
“After a long time their master returned
from his trip and called them to give an
account of how they had used his money.
20
The servant to whom he had entrusted the
five bags of silver came forward with five
more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five
bags of silver to invest, and I have earned
five more.’
21
“The master was full of praise. ‘Well
done, my good and faithful servant. You
5:1 Or virgins; also in 25:7, 11. 25:15 Greek talents; also throughout the story. A talent is equal to 75 pounds or
2
34 kilograms.
25:1-13 The story of the ten bridesmaids reinforces the need for wise preparation and readiness
for Christ’s coming. Those who have not readied themselves for the return of Jesus, the heavenly
bridegroom—by faith, commitment, and responsible living—will be left behind. For those of us
who have suffered from a dysfunctional background, recovery is a very important part of that
preparation.
