14. But the people of his country hated him, and they sent messengers to the foreign country to say, “We don't want this man to be our king.”
15. After the prince had been made king, he returned and called in his servants. He asked them how much they had earned with the money they had been given.
16. The first servant came and said, “Sir, with the money you gave me I have earned ten times as much.”
17. “That's fine, my good servant!” the king said. “Since you have shown that you can be trusted with a small amount, you will be given ten cities to rule.”
18. The second one came and said, “Sir, with the money you gave me, I have earned five times as much.”
19. The king said, “You will be given five cities.”
20. Another servant came and said, “Sir, here is your money. I kept it safe in a handkerchief.
21. You are a hard man, and I was afraid of you. You take what isn't yours, and you harvest crops you didn't plant.”
22. “You worthless servant!” the king told him. “You have condemned yourself by what you have just said. You knew that I am a hard man, taking what isn't mine and harvesting what I haven't planted.
23. Why didn't you put my money in the bank? On my return, I could have had the money together with interest.”
24. Then he said to some other servants standing there, “Take the money away from him and give it to the servant who earned ten times as much.”
25. But they said, “Sir, he already has ten times as much!”
26. The king replied, “Those who have something will be given more. But everything will be taken away from those who don't have anything.
27. Now bring me the enemies who didn't want me to be their king. Kill them while I watch!”
28. When Jesus had finished saying all this, he went on towards Jerusalem.