e all.

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

[Illustration: The Jordan near Bethabara.]

'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.'

Jesus often told beautiful parables: here are two--

THE STORY OF THE TARES.

'The kingdom of Heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in
his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among
the wheat, and went his way.

'But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then
appeared the tares also.

'So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst
not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

'He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.

'The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them
up?'

'But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also
the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in
the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first
the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat
into my barn.'

THE STORY OF THE TEN VIRGINS.

'Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which
took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bride-groom.

'And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were
foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took
oil in their vessels with their lamps.

'While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

'And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh;
go ye out to meet him.

'Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the
foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone
out.

'But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us
and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

'And while they went to buy, the brid