1   At that time came the disciples to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? ^{note note} 2   And Jesus calling to him a little child, ^note set him in the midst of them, 3   And said, Verily I say to you, except ye be converted, ^note and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4   Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ^note 5   And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me. ^note 6   But whoso shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it were better for

him that a milstone were hanged about his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. ^note 7   Wo to the world because of offences: ^note for it must needs be that offences come; but wo to that man by whom the offence cometh. 8   Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee,17Q0051 cut them off and cast them from thee; it is good for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9   And if thine eye offend thee,17Q0052 pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell-fire. ^note 10   See that ye despise not one of these little ones; ^note for I say to you, that in heaven their angels continually behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. ^note 11   For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. ^{note note} 12   What think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them go astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine and go into the mountains, and seek that which is gone astray? 13   And if he find it, verily I say to you, he rejoiceth more over that sheep, than over the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14   So it is not the will of your Father ^note who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

15   But if thy brother shall sin against thee, go and tell him his fault, between thee and him alone: if he will hear thee, thou hast gained thy

brother. ^note 16   But if he will not hear, take with thee one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17   And if he will not hear them, tell it to the church; but if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as an heathen and a publican. 18   Verily I say to you, ^note Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, ^note shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever 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, touching 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, ^note there am I in the midst of them.

21   Then came Peter to him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? 22   Till seven times? Jesus saith to him, I say not unto thee, till seven times, but till seventy times seven. ^note 23   Therefore ^note the kingdom of heaven is like a king, who was minded to settle accounts with his servants. 24   And when he had begun to reckon, one

was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ^note 25   And as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, ^note and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26   Then the servant falling prostrate at his feet, said, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27   And the lord of that servant, moved with tender compassion, loosed him and forgave him the debt. 28   But that servant going out, found one of his fellow-servants who owed him an hundred pence, and seized him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. ^note 29   And his fellow-servant falling at his feet, besought him saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30   And he would not, but went ^note and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31   But his fellow-servants, seeing what was done, were very sorry, and came and gave their lord an exact account of the whole matter. 32   Then his lord calling him, said to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou intreatedst me. 33   Should'st not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, as I had pity on thee? 34   And his lord being wroth, delivered him to the tormentors, ^note till he should pay all that was due to him. 35   So likewise will my heavenly Father do to you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

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