King James Bible
"But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
This conditional clause presents the negative counterpart to verse 14, warning that withholding forgiveness from others creates a spiritual barrier. In Jesus' teaching, forgiveness is not optional but a necessary response that reflects one's understanding of God's mercy. The consequence is severe: God's forgiveness becomes inaccessible to the unforgiving person. This reciprocal principle emphasizes that receiving divine mercy requires extending it to others, making forgiveness both a gift received and a discipline practiced.