14
But his citizens hated him and sent a message after him, saying, `We will not have this man to reign over us.'
15
And it came to pass that when he had returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
16
Then came the first, saying, `Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.'
17
And he said unto him, `Well done, thou good servant; because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.'
18
And the second came, saying, `Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.'
19
And he said likewise to him, `Be thou also over five cities.'
20
And another came, saying, `Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid away in a napkin.
21
For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up what thou layest not down, and reapest what thou did not sow.'
22
And he said unto him, `Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up what I laid not down and reaping what I did not sow.
23
Why then gavest not thou my money unto the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with interest?'
24
And he said unto them that stood by, `Take from him the pound and give it to him that hath ten pounds.'