Matthew 18:15-35
Jesus said, “If another member of the church sins against you,
go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member
listens to you, you have regained that one. 16But if you are not listened
to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be
confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17If the member
refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses
to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a
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tax collector. 18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be
bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in
heaven. 19Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about
anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For
where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
21Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the
church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven
times?” 22Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-
seven times. 23“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared
to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When he began
the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to
him; 25and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together
with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be
made. 26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience
with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27And out of pity for him, the
lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28But that same
slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him
a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you
owe.’ 29Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have
patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30But he refused; then he went and
threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31When his fellow
slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they
went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32Then his lord
summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all
that debt because you pleaded with me. 33Should you not have had mercy
on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34And in anger his lord
handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35So
my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not
forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”