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And as they heard these things, he added, and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Hierusalem, and because they thought that the kingdome of God should immediately appeare.

He said therefore, A certaine noble man went into a farre countrey, to receiue for himselfe a kingdome, and to returne.

And hee called his ten seruants, and deliuered them ten pounds, and said vnto them, Occupy till I come.

But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We wil not haue this man to reigne ouer vs.

And it came to passe, that when he was returned, hauing receiued the kingdome, then hee commaunded these seruants to be called vnto him, to whom he had giuen the money, that hee might know how much euery man had gained by trading.

Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

And he said vnto him, Well, thou good seruant: because thou hast bene faithfull in a very little, haue thou authoritie ouer ten cities.

And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained fiue pounds.

And hee said likewise to him, Bee thou also ouer fiue cities.

And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound which I haue kept layd vp in a napkin:

For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest vp that thou layedst not downe, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

And hee saith vnto him, Out of thine owne mouth will I iudge thee, thou wicked seruant: Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking vp that I layde not downe, and reaping that I did not sow.

Wherefore then gauest not thou my money into the bancke, that at my comming I might haue required mine owne with vsury?

And he said vnto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and giue it to him that hath ten pounds.

And they said vnto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.

For I say vnto you, That vnto euery one which hath, shalbe giuen, and from him that hath not, euen that hee hath shalbe taken away from him.

But those mine enemies which would not that I should reigne ouer them, bring hither, and slay them before mee.