Matthew 18

Thomson(i) 1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who is to be greatest in the kingdom of the heavens? 2 Whereupon Jesus, having called to him a little child, placed it in the midst of them 3 and said, Verily I say to you, Unless you be changed, and be like children you shall never enter the kingdom of the heavens. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is of higher dignity in the kingdom of the heavens. 5 And whoever shall receive one such child in my name, receiveth me. 6 But whoever shall occasion the stumbling of one of such little ones who believe in me, better were it for him that an upper millstone were hanged about his neck and that he were whelmed in the depth of the sea. 7 Alas, for the world because of these stumbling blocks, for these stumbling blocks must needs come: but alas for the man by whom the stumbling block cometh. 8 If then thy hand or thy foot occasioneth thy stumbling, cut them off and cast them from thee. It is better for thee to enter lame or maimed into life, than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the fire which is everlasting. 9 And if thine eye occasioneth thy stumbling, pluck it out and cast it from thee; it is better for thee to enter into life with but one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into the vale of that fire. 10 Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say to you, Their angels in heaven do continually behold the face of my father who is in heaven. 11 For the son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12 What think you? If any man hath an hundred sheep, and one of them go astray, doth he not leave die ninety nine on the mountains, and go in quest of the stray? 13 And if he happen to find it, verily I say to you, he rejoiceth over it more than over the ninety nine which went not astray. 14 Thus it is not the will of your father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost. 15 Wherefore if thy brother trespass against thee, go and expostulate with him when thou and he are alone. If he hearken to thee thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hearken to thee, then take with thee one or two, that by the testimony of two or three witnesses everything may be ascertained; 17 And if he disregard them, tell the congregation; and if he disregard the congregation, let him be to thee as the heathen and the publican. 18 Verily I say to you, whatsoever ye shall bind on the earth will be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on the earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, If two of you agree on the earth touching any thing which they may ask, it will be done for them by my father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are assembled for my name I am there in the midst of them. 21 Then Peter accosting him, said, Master, how often is my brother to trespass against me and I to forgive him? Till seven times? 22 Jesus saith to him, I do not say to thee seven times, but seventy times seven. 23 In this respect the reign of the heavens may be compared to a certain king who determined to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And having begun to settle; there was one brought to him, who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And as he had not wherewithal to pay; his lord ordered him and his wife and all that he had, to be sold and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore falling prostrate before him, saith, Have patience with me, my lord, and I will pay thee all. 27 And the lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, dismissed him and forgave him the debt. 28 And as that servant was going out, he met one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred deniars and seizing him by the throat, he said, Pay me what thou owest. 29 His fellow servant therefore falling at his feet, 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 until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw this they were deeply affected and went and told their lord all that was done. 32 Thereupon his lord having called him in, saith to him, Thou wicked slave, I forgave thee all that debt at thy entreaty; 33 shouldst thou not then have had compassion on thy fellow servant as I had on thee? 34 So his lord, being incensed, delivered him to the executioners of justice until he should pay all that was due to him, 35 Thus also will my heavenly father deal with you, if you do not from your hearts forgive, everyone the trespasses of his brother.