11
Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.
12
Therefore He said: "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.
13
So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, 'Do business till I come.'
14
But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We will not have this man to reign over us.'
15
And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
16
Then came the first, saying, 'Master, your mina has earned ten minas.'
17
And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.'
18
And the second came, saying, 'Master, your mina has earned five minas.'
19
Likewise he said to him, 'You also be over five cities.'
20
Then another came, saying, 'Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief.
21
For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.'