Matthew 18:21-35

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

²¹ Then Peter came up to Him and said, Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and ^[a]let it go? [As many as] up to seven times?

²² Jesus answered him, I tell you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven!^(A)

²³ Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a human king who wished to settle accounts with his attendants.

²⁴ When he began the accounting, one was brought to him who owed him 10,000 talents [probably about $10,000,000],

²⁵ And because he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and his children and everything that he possessed, and payment to be made.

²⁶ So the attendant fell on his knees, begging him, Have patience with me and I will pay you everything.

²⁷ And his master’s heart was moved with compassion, and he released him and forgave him [cancelling] the debt.

²⁸ But that same attendant, as he went out, found one of his fellow attendants who owed him a hundred denarii [about twenty dollars]; and he caught him by the throat and said, Pay what you owe!

²⁹ So his fellow attendant fell down and begged him earnestly, Give me time, and I will pay you all!

³⁰ But he was unwilling, and he went out and had him put in prison till he should pay the debt.

³¹ When his fellow attendants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and told everything that had taken place to their master.

³² Then his master called him and said to him, You contemptible and wicked attendant! I forgave and cancelled all that [great] debt of yours because you begged me to.

³³ And should you not have had pity and mercy on your fellow attendant, as I had pity and mercy on you?

³⁴ And in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (the jailers), till he should pay all that he owed.

³⁵ So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.