Luke 19:11-28
Chapter 19
He said:
“A man of noble birth went to a distant country to be crowned king, then planned to return home.
Before he left, he summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds of silver. He told them, ‘Put this money to work until I get back.’
But his compatriots, who disliked him, sent a delegation after him with this message, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’
He returned, however, appointed as king. Immediately, he called the servants he had given the money to, to see what profit each had made.
The first arrived and reported, ‘Sir, your pound of silver has earned ten more pounds of silver.’
The master replied:
‘Well done, my good servant! Since you have proved yourself faithful in a small matter, I can trust you to take charge of ten cities.’
The second reported:
‘Sir, your pound of silver earned five more pounds of silver.’
The master replied,:
‘And you, take charge of five cities!’
The third one entered and said:
‘Sir, here is your money, which I hid for safekeeping.
I was afraid of you, for you are a demanding person: you take what you did not lay down, and you reap what you did not sow.’
The master replied:
‘You worthless servant, I will judge you by your own words! So you knew I was an exacting person, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow?
Why, then, did you not put my money on loan, so that when I returned, I could have collected it with interest?’
Then the master said to those standing by:0
‘Take from him that pound and give it to the one with ten pounds.’
But they objected,:
‘Sir, he already has ten pounds!’
The master replied:
‘I tell you, everyone who has will be given more; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.
As for my enemies who did not want me to be their king, bring them in and execute them right here in front of me!’”
So Jesus spoke, then he went ahead of them on his way to Jerusalem.