Matthew:18

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* At that time the disciples came to Jesus , saying , "Who then is [the ]greater in the kingdom of heaven ?" * Then Jesus called a little child , and set him in their midst , * and said , "Assuredly I say to you , unless you are converted and become as little children , you shall by no means enter the kingdom of heaven . * Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child , he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven . * And whoever receives one such little child in My name , receives Me . * "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble , it would be better for him that a huge millstone be hanged on his neck , and he be drowned in the depth of the sea . * Woe to the world because of offenses ! For offenses must come , but woe to that man through whom the offense comes ! * And if your hand or your foot causes you to stumble , cut them off and cast [them ] from you . It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed , than having two hands or two feet , to be thrown into the eternal fire . * And if your eye causes you to stumble , pluck it out and cast it from you . It is better for you to enter into life with one eye , than having two eyes , to be thrown into the fiery hell . * "See that you do not despise one of these little [ones ], for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven . * For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost . * What do you think ? If a certain man has a hundred sheep , and one of them goes astray , does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains , and go and search for the [one ]gone astray ? * And if he happens to find it , assuredly I say to you that he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which did not go astray . * Thus it is not the will before your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish . * "And if your brother sins against you , go and show him his fault between you and him alone . If he hears you , you have won your brother . * But if he does not hear , take along with you one or two more , so that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established .' * But if he refuses to hear them , tell it to the assembly . But if he refuses even to hear the assembly , let him be to you as a heathen and a tax collector . * Assuredly I say to you , whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven , and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven . * Again , assuredly I say to you that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask , it will be done for them by My Father in heaven . * For where two or three are gathered together in My name , I am there in their midst ." * 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 - seven [times .] * Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants . * And when he began to settle up , one debtor was brought to him [owing ] ten thousand talents . * But since he had nothing with which to repay , his master commanded that he be sold , with his wife and children and everything that he had , and to be repaid . * Therefore falling down before him , the servant said , 'Master , have patience with me , and I will repay everything to you .' * "And having compassion , the master of that servant released him , and forgave him the loan . * But when that servant went out , he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii . And taking hold of him , he was choking him , saying , 'Pay me what you owe !' * "So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and kept begging him , saying , 'Have patience with me , and I will pay you back .' * "But he was not willing , but going off , he cast him into prison till he should pay back what was owed . * So when his fellow servants saw what had been done , they were very grieved , and they came and narrated to their master all that had taken place . * Then summoning him , his master 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 , as I also had compassion on you ?' * "And being angered , his master handed him over to the tormentors until he should pay all that was owed to him . * Thus also My heavenly Father will do to you , if you do not forgive each [one ] his brother their trespasses , from your hearts ."

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