And while they were hearing these things, he proceeded and spoke a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and they thought that the kingdom of God would immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, Trade with these, till I come. read more.
But his citizens hated him, and sent an embassy after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, when he had returned, having received the kingdom, that he commanded these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what each had gained by trading. And the first came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said to him, Well done, good servant! because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said also to this servant, And be thou over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin. For I feared thee, because thou art a harsh man; thou takest up what thou didst not lay down, and reapest what thou didst not sow. He saith to him, Out of thy mouth will I judge thee, wicked servant! thou knewest that I was a harsh man, taking up what I laid not down, and reaping what I did not sow; why then didst thou not put my money into a bank? Then I at my coming might have received it back with interest. And he said to them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath the ten pounds. (And they said to him, He hath ten pounds, Lord.) I say to you, that to every one who hath, will be given; but from him that hath not, even what he hath will be taken away. But as for those enemies of mine, who would not that I should reign over them, bring them here, and slay them before me. And when he had thus spoken, he went forward, going up to Jerusalem.