15. "But he was made king and returned home. Then he sent for the servants he had given the money to. He wanted to find out what they had earned with it.
16. "The first one came to him. He said, 'Sir, your money has earned ten times as much.'
17. " 'You have done well, my good servant!' his master replied. 'You have been faithful in a very small matter. So I will put you in charge of ten towns.'
18. "The second servant came to his master. He said, 'Sir, your money has earned five times as much.'
19. "His master answered, 'I will put you in charge of five towns.'
20. "Then another servant came. He said, 'Sir, here is your money. I have kept it hidden in a piece of cloth.
21. I was afraid of you. You are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in. You harvest what you did not plant.'
22. "His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you evil servant! So you knew that I am a hard man? You knew that I take out what I did not put in? You knew that I harvest what I did not plant?
23. Then why didn't you put my money in the bank? When I came back, I could have collected it with interest.'
24. "Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his money away from him. Give it to the one who has ten times as much.'
25. " 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten times as much!'
26. "He replied, 'I tell you that everyone who has will be given more. But here is what will happen to anyone who has nothing. Even what he has will be taken away from him.
27. And what about my enemies who did not want me to be king over them? Bring them here! Kill them in front of me!' "
28. After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead. He was going up to Jerusalem.
29. He approached Bethphage and Bethany. The hill there was called the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent out two of his disciples. He said to them,