New Living Translation NLT
New International Version NIV
11 The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was nearing Jerusalem, he told them a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away.
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While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.
12 He said, “A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return.
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He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return.
13 Before he left, he called together ten of his servants and divided among them ten pounds of silver, saying, ‘Invest this for me while I am gone.’
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So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’
14 But his people hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want him to be our king.’
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“But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’
15 “After he was crowned king, he returned and called in the servants to whom he had given the money. He wanted to find out what their profits were.
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“He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.
16 The first servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made ten times the original amount!’
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“The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’
17 “‘Well done!’ the king exclaimed. ‘You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.’
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“ ‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’
18 “The next servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made five times the original amount.’
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“The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’
19 “‘Well done!’ the king said. ‘You will be governor over five cities.’
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“His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’
20 “But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said, ‘Master, I hid your money and kept it safe.
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“Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth.
21 I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops you didn’t plant.’
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I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’
22 “‘You wicked servant!’ the king roared. ‘Your own words condemn you. If you knew that I’m a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and harvests crops I didn’t plant,
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“His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow?
23 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’
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Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’
24 “Then, turning to the others standing nearby, the king ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’
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“Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’
25 “‘But, master,’ they said, ‘he already has ten pounds!’
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“ ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’
26 “‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.
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“He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.
27 And as for these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to be their king—bring them in and execute them right here in front of me.’”
27
But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’ ”
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.