Hi, friends. I am Annie F. Downs. Let's read the Gospels. The Gospels are the first four books of the New Testament, the Bible, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

These are the stories of Jesus Christ's life on earth, the friendships, the parables, the sacrifices, the meals, the miracles.

Each month we read all four books. Make sure you're subscribed. We are halfway through July. Well done. We've made a commitment to make it all the way to July 30th and you aren't doing it.

Normally, I read three chapters to you every day, but today it's just two. So here's how it works. I'm going to read two chapters to you. You can listen or read along in your own Bible, and then I'll pray.

And that's it. So today is July 16th, day 16, and I'll be reading Matthew, chapters 25 and 26. And this month I'm reading from the CSB.

Matthew 25. At that time, the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they didn't take oil with them, but the wise ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. When the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

And the middle of the night there was a shout, here's the groom. Come out to meet him. Then all the virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise ones, give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out. The wise ones answered, no, there won't be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.

When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived and those who are ready went in with him to the wedding banquet and the door was shut.

Later, the rest of the virgins also came and said, master, master, open up for us. He replied, truly, I tell you, I don't know you.

Therefore, be alert because you don't know either the day or the hour.

For it is just like a man about to go on a journey. He called his own servants and entrusted his possessions to them to one, he gave five talents to another two talents and to another one talent depending on each one's ability. Then he went on a journey.

Immediately, the man who had received five talents went, put them to work and earned five more. In the same way, the man with two earned two more. But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

After a long time, the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five talents approached presenting five more talents and said, master, you gave me five talents. See, I've earned five more talents.

His master said to him, well done, good and faithful servant. You are faithful over a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy.

The man with two talents also approached. He said, master, you gave me two talents. See, I've earned two more talents. His master said to him, well done, good and faithful servant. You are faithful over a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy.

The man who had received one talent also approached and said, master, I know you, you're a harsh man, reaping where you haven't sewn and gathering where you haven't scattered seed. So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.

His master replied to him, you evil lazy servant. If you knew that I reap where I haven't sewn and gather where I haven't scattered, then you should have deposited my money with the bankers. And I would have received my money back with interest when I returned.

So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. For to everyone who has more will be given and he will have more than enough.

But from the one who does not have even what he has will be taken away from him and throw this good for nothing servant into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

When the son of man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him and he will separate them one from another just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on the left. Then the king will say to those on his right, come, you her blessed by my father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. I was naked and you clothed me.

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