thou gavest me a talent
A reference to the biblical parable of the talents, Matthew
25:15-29: "And 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. Then he that had received the
five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other
five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also
gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in
the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord
of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And 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. His 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. He 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. 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.
Then 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: And I was
afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou
hast that is thine. His 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: Thou oughtest
therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my
coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore
the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
For 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."
