“1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child
unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say
unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye
shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall
humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom
of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name
receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which
believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about
his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
“7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that
offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8
Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast
[them] from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or
maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into
everlasting fire. 9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast
[it] from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye,
rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. 10 Take heed that
ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in
heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in
heaven. 11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12
How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone
astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the
mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that
he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that [sheep],
than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not
the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little
ones should perish.”
“15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell
him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou
hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear [thee, then] take
with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses
every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them,
tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him
be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you,
Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and
whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I
say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any
thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which
is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my
name, there am I in the midst of them.”
“21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother
sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto
him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times
seven. 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain
king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun
to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand
talents. 25 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. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him,
saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then
the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and
forgave him the debt. 28 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. 29
And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying,
Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but
went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when
his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and
told unto their lord all that was done. 32 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: 33 Shouldest not thou also have
had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And
his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should
pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father
do also unto you, if O ye from your hearts forgive not every one his
brother their trespasses.” (Matthew 18:1-35 AV)
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