Matthew 25

Read on churchofjesuschrist.org (with footnotes)

1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 1

And then, at that day before the Son of Man comes, the kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
IV v. 1 (Inspired Version, 1867)

2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 2

And five of them were wise, and five of them were foolish.
IV v. 2 (Inspired Version, 1867)

3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 4

They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
IV v. 3 (Inspired Version, 1867)

5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 9

But the wise answered, saying, Lest there be not enough for us and you, go you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
IV v. 8 (Inspired Version, 1867)

10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 11

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us.
IV v. 10 (Inspired Version, 1867)

12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 12

But he answered and said, Verily, I say unto you, You know me not.
IV v. 11 (Inspired Version, 1867)

13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 13

Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.
IV v. 12 (Inspired Version, 1867)

14For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 14

For it is like as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants and delivered unto them his goods.
IV v. 14 (Inspired Version, 1867)

15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 15

And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to every man according to his several ability, and straightway went on his journey.
IV v. 15 (Inspired Version, 1867)

16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 16

Then he that had received the five talents went, and traded with the same, and gained other five talents.
IV v. 16 (Inspired Version, 1867)

17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 17

And, likewise, he who received two talents, he also gained other two.
IV v. 17 (Inspired Version, 1867)

18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 18

But he who had received one went, and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
IV v. 18 (Inspired Version, 1867)

19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 20

And so he that had received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents; behold, I have gained, besides them, five talents more.
IV v. 20 (Inspired Version, 1867)

21His lord said unto him, 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.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 21

His lord said unto him, Well done, 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.
IV v. 21 (Inspired Version, 1867)

22He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 22

He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents; behold, I have gained two talents besides them.
IV v. 22 (Inspired Version, 1867)

23His lord said unto him, Well done, 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.

24Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 24

Then he who had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee, that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown and gathering where thou hast not scattered.
IV v. 24 (Inspired Version, 1867)

25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 25

And I was afraid, and went, and hid thy talent in the earth; and lo, here is thy talent; take it from me as thou hast from thine other servants, for it is thine.
IV v. 25 (Inspired Version, 1867)

26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 26

His lord answered and said unto him, O wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not and gather where I have not scattered.
IV v. 26 (Inspired Version, 1867)

27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 27

Having known this, therefore, thou oughtest to have put my money to the exchangers; and at my coming, I should have received mine own with usury.
IV v. 27 (Inspired Version, 1867)

28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 28

I will take, therefore, the talent from you and give it unto him who hath ten talents.
IV v. 28 (Inspired Version, 1867)

29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 29

For unto everyone who hath obtained other talents shall be given, and he shall have in abundance.
IV v. 29 (Inspired Version, 1867)

30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 30

And his lord shall say unto his servants, Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
IV v. 31 (Inspired Version, 1867)

31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 31

When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he shall sit upon the throne of his glory;
IV v. 32 (Inspired Version, 1867)

32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 32

And before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth sheep from the goats: the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left.
IV v. 33 (Inspired Version, 1867)

33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 35

For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me;
IV v. 36 (Inspired Version, 1867)

36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 36

I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
IV v. 37 (Inspired Version, 1867)

37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 37

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered and fed thee, or thirsty and gave thee drink?
IV v. 38 (Inspired Version, 1867)

38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40And 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 unto me.

41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 42

For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink;
IV v. 43 (Inspired Version, 1867)

43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 44

Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
IV v. 45 (Inspired Version, 1867)

45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 45

Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily, I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it not unto me.
IV v. 46 (Inspired Version, 1867)

46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Also cited in commentary

2 Nephi 24 — Isaiah 14 — Israel Restored, the Taunt-Song over Babylon's King, Lucifer Fallen from Heaven
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 28 — False Churches in the Latter Days — The Lull of Carnal Security, the Few Stripes, the Line upon Line
- Where this lands
2 Nephi 33 — Nephi's Farewell — The Power of the Words, the Face-to-Face Meeting, the Pleasing Bar
- Where this lands
Alma 1 — Nehor the Anti-Christ — Priestcraft Named, Gideon Slain, and the First Capital Trial under the Reign of the Judges
- The chapter's architecture
- The patient charity of the believers and the prosperity formula
Alma 4 — Pride Enters the Church — Inequality at Zarahemla, Alma Yields the Judgment-Seat to Nephihah, and the Decision to Go Forth in Pure Testimony
- Pride rises in the Church
- The chapter's architecture
Alma 5 — Have Ye Received His Image in Your Countenances — Alma's Master Examination at Zarahemla, the Mighty Change of Heart, and the Song of Redeeming Love
- The chapter's architecture
- The come-out-from-the-wicked closing
Alma 12 — The Plan of Redemption Made Known — Mysteries According to Heed and Diligence, the Fall, and the Second Death
- Antionah's Eden question and the plan-of-redemption discourse
- The chapter's architecture
Alma 28 — A Tremendous Battle, and Then a Tremendous Silence — The Great War, the Mourning of a Nation, and the Inequality of Man Because of Sin
- How the chapter is built
Alma 29 — O That I Were an Angel — A Psalm of Holy Desire and Holier Restraint
- How the chapter is built
Alma 34 — The Great and Last Sacrifice — Amulek on the Infinite Atonement, the Mediator, and the Time to Prepare to Meet God
- How the chapter is built
Helaman 12 — Less Than the Dust — Mormon's Meditation on the Nothingness of Man
- How the chapter is built
Jacob 1 — The Plates Pass to Jacob — Magnifying the Office, the Anxiety for Souls, and the Naming of Kings
- Where this lands
Jacob 2 — Tender Feelings Wounded — Jacob's Temple Sermon on Pride, Riches, and the David-Solomon Sin
- The rebuke of pride and wealth
- Where this lands
Jacob 5 — The Allegory of the Olive Tree — Zenos on the Lord's Vineyard, the Wild Branches, and the Final Harvest
- The harvest and the burning
- Where this lands
Jacob 6 — Cleave Unto God — Jacob's Allegorical Exhortation and the Pleasing Bar of the Great Jehovah
- The allegory's conclusion
- Where this lands
Mosiah 2 — Benjamin's Tower Sermon — The Humble King, Service as Worship, the Unprofitable Servant, and the Wo of the Open Rebel
Mosiah 3 — The Angel's Message — Jesus Christ Named, Blood from Every Pore, and the Natural Man
- Where this lands
Mosiah 4 — Fallen as Dead — The Cry for Mercy, Retaining a Remission, Are We Not All Beggars, and Watch Yourselves
Mosiah 5 — The Covenant Response — One Voice, No More Disposition to Evil, Spiritually Begotten Sons and Daughters, the Name in the Heart
Mosiah 16 — The Light That Cannot Be Darkened — Abinadi's Closing Sermon on Carnal Death, the Light of Endless Life, and the Law That Points Beyond Itself
- Where this lands
Mosiah 18 — Waters of Mormon — The Baptismal Covenant, the Mourning-with-Them-that-Mourn, and the First Nephite Church
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 19 — Endless Is My Name
- Endless punishment is God's punishment
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 33 — Open Your Mouths
- Open your mouths and they shall be filled
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 42 — The Law of the Church
Doctrine and Covenants 45 — Stand in Holy Places
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 51 — Every Man Equal According to His Wants
Doctrine and Covenants 52 — A Pattern in All Things
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 60 — Bury Not Thy Talent
Doctrine and Covenants 70 — Stewards over the Revelations
- Where this lands
- Worthy of his hire; equal in temporal things
Doctrine and Covenants 72 — A Bishop in Ohio
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 82 — I, the Lord, Am Bound
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 124 — A Cornerstone of Zion
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 126 — Your Offering Is Acceptable
- Where this lands
Doctrine and Covenants 133 — Go Ye Out from Babylon
Nehemiah 5 — The Enemy Inside the Wall — A Great Cry, the Usury of Brethren, the Governor Who Would Not Eat His Bread
- How this chapter changes the reader
- The bread the governor would not eat
Psalms 19 — Two Books of One Author — The Heavens That Preach Without Words and the Law That Revives the Soul
- How this chapter changes the reader
- The heavens that preach without words

Cross-references are extracted from the project’s chapter essays — every link below points back into the original prose.

Public-domain text. The modern LDS edition with footnotes and chapter summaries is available on churchofjesuschrist.org ↗.

Study

Joseph Smith Translation

v. 1
And then, at that day before the Son of Man comes, the kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
v. 2
And five of them were wise, and five of them were foolish.
v. 4
They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
v. 9
But the wise answered, saying, Lest there be not enough for us and you, go you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
v. 11
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us.
v. 12
But he answered and said, Verily, I say unto you, You know me not.
v. 13
Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.
v. 14
For it is like as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants and delivered unto them his goods.
v. 15
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to every man according to his several ability, and straightway went on his journey.
v. 16
Then he that had received the five talents went, and traded with the same, and gained other five talents.
v. 17
And, likewise, he who received two talents, he also gained other two.
v. 18
But he who had received one went, and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
v. 20
And so he that had received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents; behold, I have gained, besides them, five talents more.
v. 21
His lord said unto him, Well done, 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.
v. 22
He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents; behold, I have gained two talents besides them.
v. 24
Then he who had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee, that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown and gathering where thou hast not scattered.
v. 25
And I was afraid, and went, and hid thy talent in the earth; and lo, here is thy talent; take it from me as thou hast from thine other servants, for it is thine.
v. 26
His lord answered and said unto him, O wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not and gather where I have not scattered.
v. 27
Having known this, therefore, thou oughtest to have put my money to the exchangers; and at my coming, I should have received mine own with usury.
v. 28
I will take, therefore, the talent from you and give it unto him who hath ten talents.
v. 29
For unto everyone who hath obtained other talents shall be given, and he shall have in abundance.
v. 30
And his lord shall say unto his servants, Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
v. 31
When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he shall sit upon the throne of his glory;
v. 32
And before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth sheep from the goats: the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left.
v. 35
For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me;
v. 36
I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
v. 37
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered and fed thee, or thirsty and gave thee drink?
v. 42
For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink;
v. 44
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
v. 45
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily, I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it not unto me.
insertion after v. 13
Now I will liken these things unto a parable.
insertion after v. 29
But from him that hath not obtained other talents shall be taken away even that which he hath received.
insertion after v. 32
And he shall sit upon his throne, and the twelve apostles with him.