19 ¹¹ While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was now close to Jerusalem and they thought the reign of God might dawn at any moment. 19 ¹² He said, 'A man of noble birth went on a long journey abroad, to be appointed king and then return. 19 ¹³ But first he called ten of his servants and gave them a pound each, saying, "Trade with this while I am away." 19 ¹⁴ His fellow-citizens hated him, and they sent a delegation on his heels to say, "We do not want this man as our king." 19 ¹⁵ However, back he came as king, and sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, to see what profit each had made. 19 ¹⁶ The first came and said, "Your pound, sir, has made ten more." 19 ¹⁷ "Well done," he replied; "you are a good servant. You have shown yourself trustworthy in a very small matter, and you shall have charge of ten cities." 19 ¹⁸ The second came and said, "Your pound, sir, has made five more"; 19 ¹⁹ and he also was told, "You too, take charge of five cities." 19 ²⁰ The third came and said, "Here is your pound, sir; I kept it put away in a handkerchief. 19 ²¹ I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man: you draw out what you never put in and reap what you did not sow." 19 ²² "You rascal!" he replied; "I will judge you by your own words. You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, that I draw out what I never put in, and reap what I did not sow? 19 ²³ Then why did you not put my money on deposit, and I could have claimed it with interest when I came back?" 19 ²⁴ Turning to his attendants he said, "Take the pound from him and give it to the man with ten." 19 ²⁵ "But, sir," they replied, "he has ten already." 19 ²⁶ "I tell you," he went on, "the man who has will always be given more; but the man who has not will forfeit even what he has. 19 ²⁷ But as for those enemies of mine who did not want me for their king, bring them here and slaughter them in my presence." '