Messages

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

21Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26So the servantfell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,until he should pay all his debt. 35So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

The Parable of the Seed Growing

26And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. 28The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

The King of Glory

A Psalm of David.

1The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,

the world and those who dwell therein,

2for he has founded it upon the seas

and established it upon the rivers.

3Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?

And who shall stand in his holy place?

4He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not lift up his soul to what is false

and does not swear deceitfully.

5He will receive blessing from the Lord

and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6Such is the generation of those who seek him,

who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

7Lift up your heads, O gates!

And be lifted up, O ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

8Who is this King of glory?

The Lord, strong and mighty,

the Lord, mighty in battle!

9Lift up your heads, O gates!

And lift them up, O ancient doors,

that the King of glory may come in.

10Who is this King of glory?

The Lord of hosts,

he is the King of glory! Selah