13
Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten manim [a maneh is about three months' wages] and said to them, `Do business with this while I'm away.'
14
But his countrymen hated him, and they sent a delegation after him to say, `We don't want this man to rule over us.'
15
"However, he returned, having been made king, and sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what each one had earned in his business dealings.
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!'