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The Parable of the Ten Pounds

11 As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. ¹²So he said, ‘A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return. ¹³He summoned ten of his slaves, and gave them ten pounds,^* and said to them, “Do business with these until I come back.” ¹⁴But the citizens of his country hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, “We do not want this man to rule over us.” ¹⁵When he returned, having received royal power, he ordered these slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned so that he might find out what they had gained by trading. ¹⁶The first came forward and said, “Lord, your pound has made ten more pounds.” ¹⁷He said to him, “Well done, good slave! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small thing, take charge of ten cities.” ¹⁸Then the second came, saying, “Lord, your pound has made five pounds.” ¹⁹He said to him, “And you, rule over five cities.” ²⁰Then the other came, saying, “Lord, here is your pound. I wrapped it up in a piece of cloth, ²¹for I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man; you take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.” ²²He said to him, “I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? ²³Why then did you not put my money into the bank? Then when I returned, I could have collected it with interest.” ²⁴He said to the bystanders, “Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.” ²⁵(And they said to him, “Lord, he has ten pounds!”) ²⁶“I tell you, to all those who have, more will be given; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ²⁷But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.” ’