10. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
11. As they heard these things, He continued and told them a parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would immediately appear.
12. Therefore He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom and to return.
13. So he called his ten servants and entrusted to them ten pounds and said to them, ‘Trade until I come.’
14. “But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’
15. “When he returned, having received the kingdom, he summoned these servants, to whom he had entrusted the money, that he might know what everyone gained by trading.
16. “The first came, saying, ‘Master, your pound has made ten pounds more.’
17. “He said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in very little, take authority over ten cities.’
18. “The second came, saying, ‘Master, your pound has made five pounds more.’
19. “He said in like manner to him, ‘You, take authority over five cities.’