The Ten Minas

¹¹While they were listening, he told them a parable because he was near Jerusalem and they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. ¹²He said, "A certain nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself and then return." ¹³He called ten of his servants, gave them ten pounds, and said to them, 'Do business until I return.' ¹⁴But his citizens hated him and sent a message after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to rule over us.' ¹⁵When he returned after receiving the kingdom, he called the servants to whom he had given the money, to find out how much each one had gained by trading. ¹⁶The first servant came and said, 'Lord, your pound has earned ten more pounds.' ¹⁷And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful with very little, you will have authority over ten cities.' ¹⁸The second servant came and said, 'Lord, your pound has earned five more pounds.' ¹⁹And he said to him as well, 'You will be in charge of five cities.' ²⁰Then another servant came and said, 'Lord, here is your pound. I kept it wrapped in a cloth.' ²¹I was afraid of you because you are a strict man. You take what you did not put down and gather what you did not plant. ²²The king said, 'I'll judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! So you knew I was a harsh man, collecting what I didn't deposit and harvesting what I didn't plant? ²³Then why didn't you put my money in the bank? That way, when I returned, I could have collected it with interest. ²⁴Then he said to those standing nearby, 'Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.' ²⁵(They said to him, “Lord, he has ten pounds!”) ²⁶I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given; but from the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. ²⁷But as for those enemies of mine who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and kill them in front of me.