THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE (3)

Matthew 18:21 NIV

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Matthew 18:22 NIV

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

Matthew 18:23–24 NIV

“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him.

Matthew 18:25 NIV

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.

Matthew 18:26 NIV

“At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’

Matthew 18:27 NIV

The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

Matthew 18:28 NIV

“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

Matthew 18:29 NIV

“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

Matthew 18:30–31 NIV

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

Matthew 18:32 NIV

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.

Matthew 18:33–34 NIV

Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

Matthew 18:35 NIV

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”