13. He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins and told them, ‘Engage in trade with these until I return.’
14. His fellow citizens, however, despised him and sent a delegation after him to announce, ‘We do not want this man to be our king.’
15. But when he returned after obtaining the kingship, he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money, to learn what they had gained by trading.
16. The first came forward and said, ‘Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.’
17. He replied, ‘Well done, good servant! You have been faithful in this very small matter; take charge of ten cities.’
18. Then the second came and reported, ‘Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.’
19. And to this servant too he said, ‘You, take charge of five cities.’
20. Then the other servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your gold coin; I kept it stored away in a handkerchief,
21. for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding person; you take up what you did not lay down and you harvest what you did not plant.’
22. He said to him, ‘With your own words I shall condemn you, you wicked servant. You knew I was a demanding person, taking up what I did not lay down and harvesting what I did not plant;
23. why did you not put my money in a bank? Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.’
24. And to those standing by he said, ‘Take the gold coin from him and give it to the servant who has ten.’
25. But they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten gold coins.’
26. ‘I tell you, to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
27. Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king, bring them here and slay them before me.’”
28. After he had said this, he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.
29. As he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples.
30. He said, “Go into the village opposite you, and as you enter it you will find a colt tethered on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it here.
31. And if anyone should ask you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you will answer, ‘The Master has need of it.’”
32. So those who had been sent went off and found everything just as he had told them.