-
La parabole des dix jeunes filles
1
"Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2
Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
3
Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,
4
but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5
Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
6
But at midnight there was a cry, 'Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!'
7
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8
The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
9
But the wise answered, saying, 'What if there isn't enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'
10
While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.
11
Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us.'
12
But he answered, 'Most certainly I tell you, I don't know you.'
13
Watch therefore, for you don't know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
La parabole des trois serviteurs
14
"For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them.
15
To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.
16
Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
17
In the same way, he also who got the two gained another two.
18
But he who received the one went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19
"Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them.
20
He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.'
21
"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
22
"He also who got the two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents besides them.'
23
"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
24
"He also who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter.
25
I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.'
26
"But his lord answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn't sow, and gather where I didn't scatter.
27
You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest.
28
Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.
29
For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn't have, even that which he has will be taken away.
30
Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
Le jugement dernier
31
"But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.
32
Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33
He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34
Then the King will tell those on his right hand, 'Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
35
for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in.
36
I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.'
37
"Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink?
38
When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you?
39
When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?'
40
"The King will answer them, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers , you did it to me.'
41
Then he will say also to those on the left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;
42
for I was hungry, and you didn't give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink;
43
I was a stranger, and you didn't take me in; naked, and you didn't clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn't visit me.'
44
"Then they will also answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn't help you?'
45
"Then he will answer them, saying, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you didn't do it to one of the least of these, you didn't do it to me.'
46
These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
-
La parabole des dix jeunes filles
1
"Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2
Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
3
Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,
4
but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5
Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
6
But at midnight there was a cry, 'Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!'
7
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8
The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
9
But the wise answered, saying, 'What if there isn't enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'
10
While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.
11
Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us.'
12
But he answered, 'Most certainly I tell you, I don't know you.'
13
Watch therefore, for you don't know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
La parabole des trois serviteurs
14
"For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them.
15
To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.
16
Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
17
In the same way, he also who got the two gained another two.
18
But he who received the one went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19
"Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them.
20
He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.'
21
"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
22
"He also who got the two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents besides them.'
23
"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
24
"He also who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter.
25
I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.'
26
"But his lord answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn't sow, and gather where I didn't scatter.
27
You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest.
28
Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.
29
For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn't have, even that which he has will be taken away.
30
Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
Le jugement dernier
31
"But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.
32
Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33
He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34
Then the King will tell those on his right hand, 'Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
35
for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in.
36
I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.'
37
"Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink?
38
When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you?
39
When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?'
40
"The King will answer them, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers , you did it to me.'
41
Then he will say also to those on the left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;
42
for I was hungry, and you didn't give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink;
43
I was a stranger, and you didn't take me in; naked, and you didn't clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn't visit me.'
44
"Then they will also answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn't help you?'
45
"Then he will answer them, saying, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you didn't do it to one of the least of these, you didn't do it to me.'
46
These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
-
La parabole des dix jeunes filles
1
» Alors le royaume des cieux ressemblera à dix jeunes filles qui ont pris leurs lampes pour aller à la rencontre du marié.
2
Cinq d'entre elles étaient folles et cinq étaient sages.
3
Celles qui étaient folles ne prirent pas d'huile avec elles en emportant leurs lampes,
4
tandis que les sages prirent, avec leurs lampes, de l'huile dans des vases.
5
Comme le marié tardait, toutes s'assoupirent et s'endormirent.
6
Au milieu de la nuit, on cria : ‘Voici le marié, allez à sa rencontre !’
7
Alors toutes ces jeunes filles se réveillèrent et préparèrent leurs lampes.
8
Les folles dirent aux sages : ‘Donnez-nous de votre huile, car nos lampes s'éteignent.’
9
Les sages répondirent : ‘Non, il n'y en aurait pas assez pour nous et pour vous. Allez plutôt chez ceux qui en vendent et achetez-en pour vous.’
10
Pendant qu'elles allaient en acheter, le marié arriva. Celles qui étaient prêtes entrèrent avec lui dans la salle des noces et la porte fut fermée.
11
Plus tard, les autres jeunes filles vinrent et dirent : ‘Seigneur, Seigneur, ouvre-nous !’
12
mais il répondit : ‘Je vous le dis en vérité, je ne vous connais pas.’
13
Restez donc vigilants, puisque vous ne savez ni le jour ni l'heure [où le Fils de l'homme viendra].
La parabole des trois serviteurs
14
» Ce sera en effet pareil au cas d'un homme qui, partant pour un voyage, appela ses serviteurs et leur remit ses biens.
15
Il donna cinq sacs d’argent à l'un, deux à l'autre et un au troisième, à chacun selon sa capacité, puis il partit aussitôt.
16
Celui qui avait reçu les cinq sacs d’argent s'en alla travailler avec eux et gagna cinq autres sacs d’argent.
17
De même, celui qui avait reçu les deux sacs d’argent en gagna deux autres.
18
Celui qui n'en avait reçu qu'un alla creuser un trou dans la terre et cacha l'argent de son maître.
19
Longtemps après, le maître de ces serviteurs revint et leur fit rendre des comptes.
20
Celui qui avait reçu les cinq sacs d’argent s'approcha, en apporta cinq autres et dit : ‘Seigneur, tu m'as remis cinq sacs d’argent. En voici cinq autres que j'ai gagnés.’
21
Son maître lui dit : ‘C'est bien, bon et fidèle serviteur ; tu as été fidèle en peu de chose, je te confierai beaucoup. Viens partager la joie de ton maître.’
22
Celui qui avait reçu les deux sacs d’argent s'approcha aussi et dit : ‘Seigneur, tu m'as remis deux sacs d’argent. En voici deux autres que j'ai gagnés.’
23
Son maître lui dit : ‘C'est bien, bon et fidèle serviteur ; tu as été fidèle en peu de chose, je te confierai beaucoup. Viens partager la joie de ton maître.’
24
Celui qui n'avait reçu qu'un sac d’argent s'approcha ensuite et dit : ‘Seigneur, je savais que tu es un homme dur : tu moissonnes où tu n'as pas semé et tu récoltes où tu n'as pas planté.
25
J'ai eu peur et je suis allé cacher ton sac d’argent dans la terre. Le voici, prends ce qui est à toi.’
26
Son maître lui répondit : ‘Serviteur mauvais et paresseux, tu savais que je moissonne où je n'ai pas semé et que je récolte où je n'ai pas planté.
27
Il te fallait donc remettre mon argent aux banquiers et à mon retour j'aurais retiré ce qui est à moi avec un intérêt.
28
Prenez-lui donc le sac d’argent et donnez-le à celui qui a les dix sacs d’argent.
29
En effet, on donnera à celui qui a et il sera dans l'abondance, mais à celui qui n'a pas on enlèvera même ce qu'il a.
30
Quant au serviteur inutile, jetez-le dans les ténèbres extérieures : c’est là qu’il y aura des pleurs et des grincements de dents.’
Le jugement dernier
31
» Lorsque le Fils de l'homme viendra dans sa gloire avec tous les [saints] anges, il s'assiéra sur son trône de gloire.
32
Toutes les nations seront rassemblées devant lui. Il séparera les uns des autres, comme le berger sépare les brebis des boucs ;
33
il mettra les brebis à sa droite et les boucs à sa gauche.
34
Alors le roi dira à ceux qui seront à sa droite : ‘Venez, vous qui êtes bénis par mon Père, prenez possession du royaume qui vous a été préparé dès la création du monde !
35
En effet, j'ai eu faim et vous m'avez donné à manger ; j'ai eu soif et vous m'avez donné à boire ; j'étais étranger et vous m'avez accueilli ;
36
j'étais nu et vous m'avez habillé ; j'étais malade et vous m'avez rendu visite ; j'étais en prison et vous êtes venus vers moi.’
37
Les justes lui répondront : ‘Seigneur, quand t'avons-nous vu affamé et t'avons-nous donné à manger, ou assoiffé et t'avons-nous donné à boire ?
38
Quand t'avons-nous vu étranger et t'avons-nous accueilli, ou nu et t'avons-nous habillé ?
39
Quand t'avons-nous vu malade ou en prison et sommes-nous allés vers toi ?’
40
Et le roi leur répondra : ‘Je vous le dis en vérité, toutes les fois que vous avez fait cela à l'un de ces plus petits de mes frères, c'est à moi que vous l'avez fait.’
41
Ensuite il dira à ceux qui seront à sa gauche : ‘Eloignez-vous de moi, maudits, allez dans le feu éternel qui a été préparé pour le diable et pour ses anges !
42
En effet, j'ai eu faim et vous ne m'avez pas donné à manger ; j'ai eu soif et vous ne m'avez pas donné à boire ;
43
j'étais étranger et vous ne m'avez pas accueilli ; j'étais nu et vous ne m'avez pas habillé ; j'étais malade et en prison et vous ne m'avez pas rendu visite.’
44
Ils répondront aussi : ‘Seigneur, quand t'avons-nous vu affamé, ou assoiffé, ou étranger, ou nu, ou malade ou en prison et ne t'avons-nous pas servi ?’
45
Et il leur répondra : ‘Je vous le dis en vérité, toutes les fois que vous n'avez pas fait cela à l'un de ces plus petits, c'est à moi que vous ne l'avez pas fait.’
46
Et ils iront à la peine éternelle, tandis que les justes iront à la vie éternelle. »
- Quelle est l'explication de cette parabole ?
L'homme qui confie ses biens avant de s'absenter, c'est le Seigneur lui-même, qui bientôt allait se séparer de ses disciples.
Les serviteurs sont les disciples d'alors et les rachetés de tous les temps, quelles que soient leur position ou leurs fonctions dans l'Eglise.
Les talents représentent tous les dons de Dieu, avantages naturels et grâces spirituelles, et en particulier l'effusion de son Saint-Esprit qui allait être accordée à l'Eglise, pour v créer une vie nouvelle et y vivifier tous les autres dons.
Ces talents sont répartis à chacun selon sa capacité, (verset 15) conformément à la souveraine sagesse de celui qui sonde les cœurs, mesure les forces morales et intellectuelles et connaît le degré de réceptivité de chaque âme. Il s'agit pour tous d'augmenter ces talents en les faisant valoir. De même, en effet, que des capitaux s'augmentent par les intérêts, par le travail, de même toutes les grâces de Dieu se multiplient par leur emploi fidèle dans la vie pratique.
Le retour du maître qui vient régler compte avec ses serviteurs, c'est l'avènement solennel, au dernier jour, du Seigneur devant qui seront manifestés tous les secrets des cœurs et tous les fruits du travail de chacun.
Le bonheur des serviteurs fidèles qui entrent dans la joie de leur Seigneur, aussi bien que l'inexprimable malheur du serviteur méchant et paresseux qui se voit dépouillé de son talent et jeté dans les ténèbres du dehors ce dénouement si grand, si tragique de la parabole, s'explique de lui-même.