13. And calling ten of his own slaves, he gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do business until I come back.’
14. But his citizens detested him and they sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this fellow to reign over us!’
15. When he returned after receiving the kingdom, he called for those slaves to whom he had given the money. He wanted to know how much business they had done.
16. Now the first appeared, saying, ‘Master, your one mina has made ten.’
17. The master said to him, ‘Well done, good slave! Because you were faithful with so little, take charge over ten cities.’
18. Also, the second slave came, saying, ‘Your mina, Master, made five.’
19. Then he also said to this one, ‘You are likewise over five cities.’
20. But another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina. I was keeping it safe in a handkerchief,
21. for I was afraid of you because you are a strict man. You take what you did not make and reap what you did not sow.’
22. He said to him, ‘By the words of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked slave! You knew that I am strict, taking what I did not make and reaping what I did not sow?
23. Then why didn’t you put my money in the bank, so that when I came back I could have collected it with interest?’