The Greatest in the Kingdom
1 In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
2 Jesus called a little child to himself and set him in the middle of them 3 and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you change, and become like little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 Whoever therefore humbles himself, like this little child, is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 5 Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a huge millstone were hung around his neck and that he were sunk in the depths of the sea.”
Temptations and Trespasses
7 “Woe to the world because of offenses! For it must be that the offenses come, but woe to that person through whom the offense comes!
8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, 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 the eternal fire. 9 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, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire.”
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost.
12 What do you think? If a man has 100 sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the 99, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray? 13 If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the 99 which have not gone astray. 14 Just the same, it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”
A Brother who Sins
15 “If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a pagan or a tax collector. 18 Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will be released in heaven.
19 Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.”
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
21 Then Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you up to seven times, but, up to 70 x 7.
23 Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants. 24 When he had begun to reconcile, a man was brought to him who owed him 10,000 talents. 25 But because he could not pay, his master commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and everything that he owned so that payment could be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down and knelt before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will repay everything to you!’
27 The master of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him and forgave his debt.
28 But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 denarii, and he grabbed him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you!’
30 He would not but went and cast him into prison until he could pay back that which was due.
31 So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were greatly grieved and came and told their master all that was done.
32 Then his master called him in and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 His master was angry and delivered him to the tormentors until he could repay all that was due to him.
35 So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you do not each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.”