" And he would not have patience, but cast his fellow-servant into
prison till he should pay the debt.
When his other fellow-servants saw what had been done they were very
sorry, and came to their King to tell him all about it. Then the King
called the unmerciful servant to him, and said, "O thou wicked
servant; I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me.
Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant,
even as I had pity on thee?"
And the King was wroth, and delivered him up to the tormentors, till
he should pay all that was due unto him.
So likewise, says Christ, shall our Heavenly Father do also unto us if
from our hearts we forgive not every one that trespasses against us.
"Forgive us our trespasses, _as we forgive them that trespass
against us_."
[Illustration: THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT.]
THE GOOD SHEPHERD.
In one of His beautiful parables, Jesus compares Himself to a
shepherd. "I am the good shepherd," says He, "the good shepherd giveth
his life for the sheep." And Jesus tells how the hired servant who
cares for nothing but his wages, runs away when the wolf comes; but
how the faithful shepherd, when robbers threaten his flock, or wild
beasts attack them, defends his sheep bravely, often laying down his
life for their sake.
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