Barclay Newman, a translator on the teams for both the Good News Bible and the Contemporary English Version, translated passages of the New Testament into English and published them in 2014, “in a publication brief enough to be non-threatening, yet long enough to be taken seriously, and interesting enough to appeal to believers and un-believers alike.” The following is the translation of Matthew 18:21-35:
“Forgiveness times seven is surely enough
to offer anyone who offends me,” said Peter.
“Try seven times that amount!” answered Jesus,
“and listen to this story about the Ultimate Kingdom.”
The CEO of a big corporation called in his employees
to account for their use of the company funds.
One of them came up fifty million dollars short,
and he was broke.
“His wife and children are just as guilty,” said the CEO.
“Lock all of them up and throw away the key,
until he pays back every cent he owes.”
But the man begged for mercy
and swore he’d repay every cent.
So the soft-hearted CEO forgave his debt.
On the way out of the office, the man happened to meet
an office boy who owed him a measly fifty bucks.
With his hands around the throat of he boy, he shouted,
“Pay me every cent you owe!”
The boy begged for mercy and swore to repay every cent.
But there was no mercy, and the boy was thrown into jail
until he could repay the full amount.
Some other employees found out what had happened,
and they reported the matter to the CEO,
who called the man in and said, “You’re evil!
When you begged for mercy, I forgave every penny.
Isn’t that what you should have done for this boy?
I’ll have your hide for this!
You, your wife, and your family of four
will perish impoverished in prison.”
“Listen up!” exclaimed Jesus.
“If you don’t forgive others with all your heart,
my Father above will treat you like this.”