Who is the Greatest?
AT that time, came the disciples to Jesus, saying: “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 And Jesus called a little child to Him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said: “Truly I say to you: Except you be converted, and become as little children: you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is great in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one, such little child in my name, receives me.
6 But whoso shall cause one of these little ones which believe in me to stumble: it be better for him, that a millstone be hanged upon his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea!”
Causes of Stumbling
7 ¶ “Woe to the world because of causes of stumbling! for it must needs be that offences come: but woe to that man through whom the offence comes!
8 Now if your hand or your foot cause you to stumble: cut them off, and cast them from you; it is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet: to be cast into everlasting fire!
9 And 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 Hell fire!”
Parable of the Lost Sheep
10 ¶ “Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say to you: That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
11 For the Son of man has come to save that which was lost.
12 What do you think? if a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray: does he not leave the ninety nine, and go into the mountains, and seek that one which is gone astray?
13 And if it be so that he find it, truly I say to you: he rejoices more of that sheep, than of the ninety nine which went not astray.
14 Thus, it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.”
If a Brother Sins Against You
15 ¶ “Moreover if your brother shall sin against you, go and tell him his wrong, between you and him alone; if he shall hear you, you have gained you brother.
16 But if he will not hear, then take with you one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every matter may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the congregation: but if he neglect to hear the congregation, let him be to your as a Gentile and a tax collector.
18 Truly I say to you: Whatsoever you shall bind on earth: shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose on earth: shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say to you: That if two of you shall agree on earth, as concerning anything that they shall ask: it shall be done for them, by 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.”
Parable of Forgiveness
21 ¶ Then came Peter to Him, and said: “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?”
22 Jesus said to him: “I say not to you: Until seven times, but: Until seventy, times seven.”
23 ¶ “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king, who wanted to settle account with his servants.
24 And when he had begun to reckon, was one brought to 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 bond-servant therefore fell down, and prostrated himself, saying: ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But the same bond-servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, who owed him a hundred denarius: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying: ‘Pay me that which you owe!’
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying: ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you 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 grieved, and came and told to their lord all that was done.
32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said to him: ‘O you evil servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you besought me:
33 Should not you also, have had mercy on your fellowservant: even as I had mercy on you?’
34 And his lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due to him.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also to you: if you, from your hearts, forgive not every one, his brother their transgressions.”