16
The first one came in and said, `Sir, your maneh has earned ten more manim.'
17
`Excellent!' he said to him. `You are a good servant. Because you have been trustworthy in a small matter, I am putting you in charge of ten towns.'
18
The second one came and said, `Sir, your maneh has earned five more manim;
19
and to this one he said, `You be in charge of five towns.'
20
"Then another one came and said, `Sir, here is your maneh. I kept it hidden in a piece of cloth,
21
because I was afraid of you -- you take out what you didn't put in, and you harvest what you didn't plant.'
22
To him the master said, `You wicked servant! I will judge you by your own words! So you knew, did you, that I was a severe man, taking out what I didn't put in and harvesting what I didn't plant?
23
Then why didn't you put my money in the bank? Then, when I returned, I would have gotten it back with interest!'
24
To those standing by, he said, `Take the maneh from him and give it to the one with ten manim.'
25
They said to him, `Sir, he already has ten manim!'
26
But the master answered, `I tell you, everyone who has something will be given more; but from anyone who has nothing, even what he does have will be taken away.