The ¹  one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, ‘Sir, ²  you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’

In the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar), on its thirteenth day, the edict of the king and his law were to be executed. It was on this day that the enemies of the Jews had supposed that they would gain power over them. But contrary to expectations, the Jews gained power over their enemies.

The reward ¹  which the righteous receive ²  is life; the recompense ³  which the wicked receive ⁴  is judgment. ⁵ 

More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things – indeed, I regard them as dung! ¹  – that I may gain Christ,

And as for me, I am going to harden ¹  the hearts of the Egyptians so that ²  they will come after them, that I may be honored ³  because ⁴  of Pharaoh and his army and his chariots and his horsemen.

The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work ¹  and gained five more.

Were you called as a slave? ¹  Do not worry about it. But if indeed you are able to be free, make the most of the opportunity.

If I give away everything I own, and if I give over my body in order to boast, ¹  but do not have love, I receive no benefit.

Give a shepherd’s care to ¹  God’s flock among you, exercising oversight ²  not merely as a duty ³  but willingly under God’s direction, ⁴  not for shameful profit but eagerly.

He took ¹  away all the livestock he had acquired in Paddan Aram and all his moveable property that he had accumulated. Then he set out toward the land of Canaan to return to his father Isaac. ² 

I will harden ¹  Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them. I will gain honor ²  because of Pharaoh and because of all his army, and the Egyptians will know ³  that I am the Lord.” So this is what they did. ⁴ 

When ¹  he returned after receiving the kingdom, he summoned ²  these slaves to whom he had given the money. He wanted ³  to know how much they had earned ⁴  by trading.

The man became wealthy. ¹  His influence continued to grow ²  until he became very prominent.

Moreover, the strength of their ¹  hands – what use was it to me? Men whose strength ²  had perished;

But you say, ‘What will it profit you,’ ¹  and, ‘What do I gain by not sinning?’ ² 

(Let the wise also ¹  hear ²  and gain ³  instruction, and let the discerning ⁴  acquire ⁵  guidance! ⁶ )

You who are naive, discern ¹  wisdom! And you fools, understand discernment! ² 

Listen to advice ¹  and receive discipline, that ²  you may become wise ³  by the end of your life. ⁴ 

The one who increases his wealth by increasing interest ¹  gathers it for someone who is gracious ²  to the needy.

A person’s pride ¹  will bring him low, ²  but one who has a lowly spirit ³  will gain honor.