11
And as they heard these things, he added and spoke a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God would immediately appear.
12
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
13
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said to them, Occupy till I come.
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 to 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 to him, Well, 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 up in a napkin:
21
For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up what thou layedst not down, and reapest what thou didst not sow.
22
And he saith to him, Out of thy own mouth will I judge thee, [thou] wicked servant. Thou knewest me to be an austere man, taking up what I laid not down, and reaping what I did not sow:
23
Why then gavest thou not my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required my own with interest?
24
And he said to them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give [it] to him that hath ten pounds.
25
(And they said to him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
26
For I say to you, That to every one who hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even what he hath shall be taken away from him.
27
But those my enemies, who would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay [them] before me.