Luke 19:13-24 ▼

13 And calling his ten servants, he gave to them ten pounds, and said to them, Operate till I come.

14 But his citizens continued to hate him, and sent an embassy after him, saying, We do not wish this man to rule over us.

15 And it came to pass, when he returned, having received the kingdom, and he said, that those servants should be called, to whom he had given the money, in order that he might know what each one had gained by their merchandise.

16 And the first came, saying, Lord, thy pound has gained ten pounds.

17 And he said to him, Well done, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in the least, have thou authority over ten cities.

18 And the second one came, saying, Lord, thy pound has gained five pounds.

19 And he also said to him, Be thou over five cities.

20 And the other one came, saying, Lord, behold, thy pound, which I had laid away in a napkin:

21 for I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that which thou hadst not laid down, and thou reapest that which thou hast not sown.

22 And he says to him, Out of thine own mouth I will judge thee, thou wicked servant. Didst thou know that I am an austere man, taking up what I have not laid down, and reaping what I have not sown?

23 Wherefore indeed didst thou not put my money in the bank? and having come I would have received the same with the product.

24 And he said to the bystanders, Take the pound from him, and give it to the one having ten pounds.