KJV ¹¹ And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

KJV ¹² He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

KJV ¹³ And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

KJV ¹⁴ But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

KJV ¹⁵ And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

KJV ¹⁶ Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

KJV ¹⁷ And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

KJV ¹⁸ And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.

KJV ¹⁹ And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

KJV ²⁰ And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:

KJV ²¹ For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

KJV ²² And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

KJV ²³ Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

KJV ²⁴ And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

KJV ²⁵ (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)

KJV ²⁶ For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

KJV ²⁷ But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

KJV ²⁸ And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.