Matthew 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

 ²²Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

 ²³"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents (millions of dollars) was brought to him. ²⁵Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

 ²⁶"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' ²⁷The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

 ²⁸"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denari (a few dollars) . He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.

 ²⁹"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'

 ³⁰"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. ³¹When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.

 ³²"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. ³³Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' ³⁴In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

 ³⁵"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."