Gospel: ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 18:23–35 – 23 Because of this the kingdom of heaven was likened to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle accounts, a debtor was brought to him who owed ten thousand talents. 25 Since he had no means to pay, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, in order that payment might be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down and worshiped him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you back everything.' 27 Moved with compassion, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he choked him, saying, 'Pay me what you owe.' 29 The fellow servant therefore fell at his feet and pleaded with him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you back.' 30 But he was unwilling, and went and threw him into prison until he should pay what was owed. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they came and reported everything to their master. 32 Then his master called him and said to him, 'You wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me; 33 ought you not also to have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' 34 And his master, being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was owed to him. 35 So my heavenly Father will do to you unless each of you forgives his brother from your heart.
Interpretive rendering by Panagiotis N. Trebelas
ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 18:23–35
23 Because in the kingdom of heaven our duty to forgive our trespasses is limitless, the kingdom of heaven was likened to an earthly king who wished to settle accounts with his servants and courtiers, to whom he had entrusted the management of his taxes and collections. 24 When he began to settle accounts, a debtor was brought to him who owed ten thousand talents, which is approximately sixty million gold drachmas. 25 Since he did not have the means to pay, the master ordered that he, his wife, his children, and all that he had be sold to settle the debt. 26 The servant therefore fell to the ground and worshiped him, saying, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you back everything I owe.'
27 The master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and even forgave him the debt. 28 However, when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, which is approximately ninety gold drachmas. And after he seized him, he distressed him severely, saying, 'Pay me what you owe me.' 29 The fellow servant therefore fell at his feet and pleaded with him, saying, 'Wait for me and show patience with me, and I will pay you back.' 30 But he was unwilling; instead, he went to the court and threw him into prison until he should pay what was owed. 31 When his other fellow servants saw what had happened, they were very distressed, and after they came, they recounted everything that had occurred to their master. 32 Then his master called him and said to him, 'Wicked servant, I forgave you that entire debt, so great as it was, because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not also have been moved to compassion and to show mercy to your fellow servant, just as I, who am not your fellow servant but your master, was moved to compassion and showed mercy to you?'
34 And his master became angry and delivered him to those who torture prisoners, so that he might be punished until he should pay all that was owed. 35 Thus my heavenly Father will do to you, for whom you are debtors of an infinite debt due to your countless sins, if you do not forgive each of you your brother—not only with your mouth, but from your heart.