The Disciples Contend Who Should Be The
Greatest.
Jesus Exhorts To Humility, Forbearance, and
Brotherly Love
79. Matt 18:1-35
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying,
Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus
called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of
them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be
converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter
into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall
humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the
kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little
child in my name receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one
of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him
that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were
drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe unto the world
because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come;
but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8
Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off,
and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life
halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to
be cast into everlasting fire. 9 And if thine eye offend thee,
pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter
into life with one eye, rather 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 unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold
the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11 For the Son of
man is come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one
of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and
nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is
gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto
you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and
nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of
your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones
should perish. 15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and
tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear
thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear
thee, then 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 unto the church:
but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as
an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you,
Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:
and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall
agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it
shall be done for them of my Father which 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 came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my
brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times:
but, Until seventy times seven. 23 Therefore is the kingdom
of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take
account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to
reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten
thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not 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 fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have
patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of
that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him,
and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out,
and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an
hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by
the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his
fellowservant fell down at his feet, and 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, till he should
pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was
done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord
all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called
him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all
that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou
also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I
had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered
him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto
him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto
you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother
their trespasses.
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