²³ “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished ^(A)to settle accounts with his servants.^[a]

The Parable of the Weeds

²⁴ He put another parable before them, saying, ^(A)“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field,

¹² So then ^(A)each of us will give an account of himself to God.

¹² He said therefore, ^(A)“A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. ¹³ Calling ^(B)ten of his servants,^[a] he gave them ten minas,^[b] and said to them, ‘Engage in business ^(C)until I come.’ ¹⁴ But ^(D)his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ ¹⁵ When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. ¹⁶ The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ ¹⁷ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant!^[c] Because you have been ^(E)faithful in a very little, ^(F)you shall have authority over ten cities.’ ¹⁸ And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ ¹⁹ And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ ²⁰ Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in ^(G)a handkerchief; ²¹ for I was afraid of you, because you are ^(H)a severe man. You take ^(I)what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ ²² He said to him, ^(J)‘I will condemn you with your own words, ^(K)you wicked servant! You knew that I was ^(L)a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? ²³ Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ ²⁴ And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ ²⁵ And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ ²⁶ ‘I tell you that ^(M)to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. ²⁷ But ^(N)as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and ^(O)slaughter them before me.’”

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager

16 He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had ^(A)a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. ² And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your ^(B)management, for you can no longer be manager.’

The Parable of the Net

⁴⁷ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is ^(A)like a net that was thrown into the sea and ^(B)gathered fish of every kind.

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven ^(A)is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy ^(B)he goes and sells all that he has and ^(C)buys that field.

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,

^2 (A)“Repent, for ^(B)the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”^[a]

¹⁰ For ^(A)we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, ^(B)so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹¹ Therefore, knowing ^(C)the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But ^(D)what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.