Parable of the sheep and the goats
The Text
Matthew 25:31-46 ESV
[31] "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then
he will sit on his glorious throne. [32] Before him will be gathered all the
nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates
the sheep from the goats. [33] And he will place the sheep on his right, but the
goats on the left.
[34] Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by
my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
[35] For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [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 drink? [38] And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked
and clothe you? [39] And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' [40]
And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the
least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
[41] "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into
the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. [42] For I was hungry
and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, [43] I was a
stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and
in prison and you did not visit me.' [44] Then they also will answer, saying,
'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or
in prison, and did not minister to you?' [45] Then he will answer them, saying,
'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did
not do it to me.' [46] And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the
righteous into eternal life."
External links
- The Sheep and the Goats, by Hampton Keathley IV
- The Sheep & the Goats, by Charles Garland