Matthew 18:21-35 - The Parable Of The Unforgiving Slave

21 Then Peter came and said to him, Lord, what number of times may my brother do wrong against me, and I give him forgiveness? till seven times?

22 Jesus says to him, I say not to you, Till seven times; but, Till seventy times seven. 23 For this reason the kingdom of heaven is like a king, who went over his accounts with his servants. 24 And at the start, one came to him who was in his debt for ten thousand talents. 25 And because he was not able to make payment, his lord gave orders for him, and his wife, and his sons and daughters, and all he had, to be given for money, and payment to be made.

26 So the servant went down on his face and gave him worship, saying, Lord, give me time to make payment and I will give you all. 27 And the lord of that servant, being moved with pity, let him go, and made him free of the debt.

28 But that servant went out, and meeting one of the other servants, who was in debt to him for one hundred pence, he took him by the throat, saying, Make payment of your debt.

29 So that servant went down on his face, requesting him and saying, Give me time and I will make payment to you. 30 And he would not: but went and put him into prison till he had made payment of the debt. 31 So when the other servants saw what was done they were very sad, and came and gave word to their lord of what had been done.

32 Then his lord sent for him and said, You evil servant; I made you free of all that debt, because of your request to me: 33 Was it not right for you to have mercy on the other servant, even as I had mercy on you? 34 And his lord was very angry, and put him in the hands of those who would give him punishment till he made payment of all the debt. 35 So will my Father in heaven do to you, if you do not everyone, from your hearts, give forgiveness to his brother.


Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain