| 11
While they were listening to this, Yeshua went on to tell a parable,
because he was near Yerushalayim, and the people supposed that the Kingdom
of God was about to appear at any moment.
12
Therefore he said, "A nobleman went to a
country far away to have himself crowned king and then return.
13
Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten manim
[a maneh is about three months' wages] and said to them, `Do business with
this while I'm away.'
14
But his countrymen hated him, and they sent a
delegation after him to say, `We don't want this man to rule over
us.'
15
"However, he returned, having been made king,
and sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what
each one had earned in his business dealings.
16
The first one came in and said, `Sir, your maneh has
earned ten more manim.'
17
`Excellent!' he said to him. `You are a good
servant. Because you have been trustworthy in a small matter, I am putting
you in charge of ten towns.'
18
The second one came and said, `Sir, your maneh has
earned five more manim;
19
and to this one he said, `You be in charge of five
towns.'
20
"Then another one came and said, `Sir, here is
your maneh. I kept it hidden in a piece of cloth,
21
because I was afraid of you -- you take out what you
didn't put in, and you harvest what you didn't plant.'
22
To him the master said, `You wicked servant! I will
judge you by your own words! So you knew, did you, that I was a severe
man, taking out what I didn't put in and harvesting what I didn't
plant?
23
Then why didn't you put my money in the bank? Then,
when I returned, I would have gotten it back with interest!'
24
To those standing by, he said, `Take the maneh from
him and give it to the one with ten manim.'
25
They said to him, `Sir, he already has ten manim!'
26
But the master answered, `I tell you, everyone who
has something will be given more; but from anyone who has nothing, even
what he does have will be taken away.
27
However, as for these enemies of mine who did not
want me to be their king, bring them here and execute them in my
presence!'" |
