Matthew:18:1-35

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* At that time the disciples came to Jesus , saying , Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven ? * And Jesus called a little child to him , and set him in the midst of them , * And said , Truly I say to you , Unless you are converted , and become like little children , you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven . * Therefore , whoever shall humble himself as this little child , he is greatest in the kingdom of heaven . * And whoever shall receive one such little child in my name receives me . * But whoever shall cause one of these little ones who believe in me to sin , it would be better for him that a great millstone be hung around his neck , and that he be drowned in the depths of the sea . * Woe to the world because of temptations ! for it must be that temptations come ; but woe to that man by whom the temptation comes ! * Therefore , if your hand or your foot causes you to sin , cut it off , and cast it from you : it is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled , rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into eternal fire . * And if your eye causes you to sin , pluck it out , and cast it from you : it is better for you to enter into life with one eye , rather than having two eyes to be cast into the fire of hell . * Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones ; for I say to you , That in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven . * [For the Son of man has come to save that which was lost .] * What do you think ? if a man has a hundred sheep , and one of them goes astray , does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains , and seek the one that has gone astray ? * And if he finds it , truly I say to you , he rejoices more over that sheep , than over the ninety-nine which did not go astray . * In the same way , it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven , that one of these little ones should perish . * If your brother shall sin against you , go and tell him his fault between you and him alone : if he shall hear you , you have gained your brother . * But if he will not hear you , then take with you one or two more , that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every word may be established . * And if he refuses to hear them , tell it to the church : but if he even refuses to hear the church , let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax gatherer . * Truly I say to you , Whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven : and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven . * Again I say to you , That if two of you shall agree on earth about anything that they shall ask , it shall be done for them by my Father who is in heaven . * For where two or three are gathered together in my name , there am I in the midst of them . * Then Peter came to him , and said , Lord , how often shall my brother sin against me , and I forgive him ? up to seven times ? * Jesus said to him , I do not say to you , Up to seven times , but , Up to seventy times seven . * Therefore , the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants . * And when he had begun the settlement , one was brought to him , who owed him ten thousand talents . * But because he had nothing with which to pay , his lord commanded him to be sold , and his wife , and children , and all that he had , and payment to be made . * Therefore the servant fell down , and implored him , saying , Lord , have patience with me , and I will pay you all . * Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion , and released him , and forgave him the debt . * But the same servant went out , and found one of his fellow servants , who owed him a hundred denarii : and he laid hands on him , and took him by the throat , saying , Pay me what you owe . * And his fellow servant fell down at his feet , and begged him , saying , Have patience with me , and I will pay you all . * He refused however , but went and cast him into prison , until he should pay the debt . * So when his fellow servants saw what had happened , they were very sorry , and came and told their lord all that had happened . * Then his lord , after he had called him , said to him , You wicked servant , I forgave you all that debt , because you begged me : * Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant , even as I had pity on you ? * And his lord was angry , and delivered him to the torturers , until he should pay all that was due him . * So shall my heavenly Father also do to each one of you , if you do not forgive your brother from your heart .

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