Matthew 18

ABU^{(i) 1} AT that time came the disciples to Jesus, saying: Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? ² And Jesus, calling a little child to him, placed it in the midst of them, ³ and said: Verily I say to you, if ye do not turn and become as the little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever shall receive one such little child, in my name, receives me. ⁶ But whoever shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to offend, it were better for him that an upper millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were plunged in the depth of the sea. ⁷ Woe to the world, for causes of offense! For it must needs be that causes of offense come; but woe to that man, through whom the cause of offense comes! ⁸ But if thy hand or thy foot causes thee to offend, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to enter into life lame or maimed, than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the everlasting fire. ⁹ And if thine eye causes thee to offend, pluck it out and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, 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 to you, that their angels in heaven always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. ¹¹ For the Son of man came to save that which was lost. ¹² What think ye? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them is gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine upon the mountains, and go and seek that which is gone astray? ¹³ And if it be that he find it, verily I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety and nine that went not astray. ¹⁴ So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that one of these little ones perish. ¹⁵ But if thy brother shall sin against thee, go show him his fault between thee and him alone, If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. ¹⁶ But if he hear not, 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 to the church; and if he neglect to hear the church also, let him be to thee as a heathen and a publican. ¹⁸ Verily I say to you: Whatever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. ¹⁹ Again I say to you, that if two of you shall agree on earth, concerning any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them by my Father who 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 Peter came to him, and said: Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times? ²² Jesus says to him: I say not to thee, until seven times, but until seventy times seven. ²³ Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king, who desired to make a reckoning with his servants. ²⁴ And when he had begun to reckon, there was brought to him one, who owed ten thousand talents. ²⁵ But as he was not able 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, falling, prostrated himself before him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. ²⁷ And the lord of that servant, moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. ²⁸ But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred denáries; and laying hold of him he took him by the throat, saying: Pay me that thou owest. ²⁹ Therefore his fellow-servant fell down and besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee. ³⁰ And he would not; but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. ³¹ And his fellow-servants, seeing what was done, were very sorry, and came and disclosed to their lord all that was done. ³² Then having called him, his lord says to him: Thou wicked servant; I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me. ³³ Shouldest not thou also have had pity on thy fellow-servant, as I too had pity on thee? ³⁴ And his lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due to him. ³⁵ So also will my heavenly Father do to you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother.