Luke 19:11-21

11 As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.
12 So he said, "A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return.
13 He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds, and said to them, "Do business with these until I come back.'
14 But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, "We do not want this man to rule over us.'
15 When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading.
16 The first came forward and said, "Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.'
17 He said to him, "Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.'
18 Then the second came, saying, "Lord, your pound has made five pounds.'
19 He said to him, "And you, rule over five cities.'
20 Then the other came, saying, "Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth,
21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.'

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. The mina, rendered here by [pound,] was about three months' wages for a laborer
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.