¹¹ When they heard these things, he added, and said a parable, for that he was nigh to Jerusalem, and for they guessed, that at once the kingdom of God should be showed [and for they guessed, that the kingdom of God should be showed anon].

¹² Therefore he said, A worthy man went into a far country [Some nobleman went into a far country], to take to him a kingdom, and to turn again.

¹³ And when his ten servants were called, he gave to them ten bezants; and said to them, Chaffer ye [Merchandize ye], till I come.

¹⁴ But his citizens hated him, and sent a messenger after him, and said, We will not, that he reign on us.^[a]

¹⁵ And it was done, that he turned again, when he had taken the kingdom; and he commanded his servants to be called, to which he had given money, to know [to whom he gave money, that he should know], how much each had won by chaffering.

¹⁶ And the first came, and said [saying], Lord, thy bezant hath won ten bezants.

¹⁷ He said to him, Well be, thou good servant; for in little thing thou hast been true, thou shalt be having power on ten cities [thou shalt have power upon ten cities].

¹⁸ And the tother came, and said [And the tother came, saying], Lord, thy bezant hath made five bezants.

¹⁹ And to this he said, And be thou on five cities. [And he said to this, And be thou upon five cities.]

²⁰ And the third came, and said, Lord, lo! thy bezant, that I had, put up in a sudarium.^[b]

²¹ For I dreaded thee, for thou art an austere man; thou takest away that that thou settedest not, and thou reapest that that thou hast not sown.

²² He saith to him, Wicked servant, of thy mouth I deem thee. Knewest thou, that I am an austere man, taking away that thing that I setted not, and reaping that thing that I sowed not^[c]?

²³ and why hast thou not given my money to the board, and I coming should have asked it with usuries? [and why hast thou not given my money to the board, that and I coming should have received it soothly with usuries?]

²⁴ And he said to men standing nigh, Take away from him the bezant, and give ye to him that hath ten bezants.^[d]

²⁵ And they said to him, Lord, he hath ten bezants.

²⁶ And I say to you, to each man that hath, it shall be given, and he shall increase [and he shall abound]; but from him that hath not, also that thing that he hath, shall be taken of him [shall be taken from him].

²⁷ Nevertheless bring ye hither those mine enemies, that would not that I reigned on them [that would not me to reign upon them], and slay ye before me.