21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked him, Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother when he does wrong things to me? Should I forgive him seven times?

22 Jesus answered him, I say not seven times only, but seventy times seven.

23 In that way the kingdom of heaven is like this. A king was ready to finish his business with his servants.

24 The first servant was brought in. He owed the king a very large sum of money.

25 He could not pay it. So his master said, "Go sell him, his wife, his children, and everything he has, and pay me!"

26 So the servant bowed down in front of him. He begged, "Sir, give me time. I will pay everything."

27 His master was sorry for him and let him go. He did not make him pay the money.

28 That same servant went out and met another servant. This man owed him a much smaller sum of money. He caught him by the throat and said, Pay me what you owe me!"

29 Then this servant bowed down in front of him. He begged, "Give me time. I will pay you."

30 But he said, "No." He went and put the man in prison until he could pay what he owed him.

31 The other servants saw what he did. They were very sad. They went and told their master everything that had been done.

32 Then his master called the first servant to him. He said, "You bad man! I let you go. I did not make you pay all you owed me, because you begged me to be kind to you.

33 You should have been kind to the other servant, as I was kind to you."

34 His master was very angry. He turned the servant over to the prison guards until he could pay all he owed him.

35 That is like what my Father in heaven will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.