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[personal profile] yendi
From the Book of Matthew, chapter 18, verses 23-35, King James edition:

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took [him] by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.


This is known as, "The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant," or, as I like to call it, "what should happen to JP Morgan, Citibank, Bank of America, and their ilk." Except, of course, no one is actually punishing the unmerciful servants known as the banks.

As for the auto bailout, [livejournal.com profile] crystalsage has the best post I've read on that subject.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-12-10 02:52 pm (UTC)
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From: [identity profile] zarhooie.livejournal.com
I like the NRSV version of that verse better:
‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents* was brought to him; 25and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” 27And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii;* and seizing him by the throat, he said, “Pay what you owe.” 29Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” 30But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. 31When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32Then his lord summoned him and said to him, “You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?” 34And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. 35So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister* from your heart.’

It's a semantics game for that one, but I've analyzed that passage more than I am comfortable admitting in polite company. It's what I get as a theology major. -_-

(no subject)

Date: 2008-12-10 03:31 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] themaskmaker.livejournal.com
damn straight.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-12-10 05:18 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] melvh.livejournal.com
Whenever I hear this passage, I see the corresponding scene from the movie Godspell where they dip the one guy's fingers into a toaster...

Still, the message is a valid one, and I fully agree that the companies getting free money from the government "to cover bad debts" should then not try to collect on those same debts. (Even if it does mean that those of us who were smart enough not to get involved in junk-credit scams in the first place are left high & dry.)

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