23 "Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. |
24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents7 18:24 That is, millions of dollars was brought to him. |
25 Since 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.' |
27 The 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 denarii.8 18:28 That is, 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. |
31 When 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. |
33 Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' |
34 In 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." |
