Luke 19:11-26

The Parable of the Ten Pounds

¹¹ And while they are hearing these things, having added he spake a simile, because of his being nigh to Jerusalem, and of their thinking that the reign of God is about presently to be made manifest. ¹² He said therefore, 'A certain man of birth went on to a far country, to take to himself a kingdom, and to return, ¹³ and having called ten servants of his own, he gave to them ten pounds, and said unto them, Do business—till I come; ¹⁴ and his citizens were hating him, and did send an embassy after him, saying, We do not wish this one to reign over us. ¹⁵ 'And it came to pass, on his coming back, having taken the kingdom, that he commanded these servants to be called to him, to whom he gave the money, that he might know what any one had done in business. ¹⁶ 'And the first came near, saying, Sir, thy pound did gain ten pounds; ¹⁷ and he said to him, Well done, good servant, because in a very little thou didst become faithful, be having authority over ten cities. ¹⁸ 'And the second came, saying, Sir, thy pound made five pounds; ¹⁹ and he said also to this one, And thou, become thou over five cities. ²⁰ 'And another came, saying, Sir, lo, thy pound, that I had lying away in a napkin; ²¹ for I was afraid of thee, because thou art an austere man; thou takest up what thou didst not lay down, and reapest what thou didst not sow. ²² 'And he saith to him, Out of thy mouth I will judge thee, evil servant: thou knewest that I am an austere man, taking up what I did not lay down, and reaping what I did not sow! ²³ and wherefore didst thou not give my money to the bank, and I, having come, with interest might have received it? ²⁴ 'And to those standing by he said, Take from him the pound, and give to him having the ten pounds— ²⁵ (and they said to him, Sir, he hath ten pounds)— ²⁶ for I say to you, that to every one having shall be given, and from him not having, also what he hath shall be taken from him,