Now as they listened to these things, Jesus added and spake a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they thought that the kingdom of God would immediately appear.

He said, therefore, "A certain nobleman went into a distant country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. And having called ten of his servants, he delivered to them ten pounds, and said to them, 'Trade, till I return." But his citizens hated him and sent an embassy after him, saying, 'We will not have this man to reign over us." "Now it came to pass when he returned, having received the kingdom, that he commanded these servants to whom he had delivered the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading.

"Then the first came before him, saying, 'Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds." And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant; because thou wast found faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities."

"And the second came, saying, 'Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds." Then he said to this one, 'Be thou likewise over five cities."

"And the next came, saying, 'Lord, behold thy pound, which I kept laid away in a napkin: for I feared thee, because thou art a harsh man. Thou takest up that thou didst not lay down, and reapest that thou didst not sow." He saith to him, 'Out of thy own mouth I will judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I am a harsh man, taking up what I did not lay down, and gathering what I did not sow. Then why didst thou not deposit my money in a bank, and I, at my coming, could have required it with interest?'

"Then he said to those standing by, 'Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath the ten pounds." And they say to him, 'Lord, he hath ten pounds." I say to you, that to every one that hath shall be given; but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away. But these, my enemies, who would not that I should reign over them, bring them hither, and slay them before me."

And when He had spoken these things, He went on before, going up to Jerusalem.