Matthew 18:1-13 ▼

1 AT that time came the disciples to Jesus, saying, Who is indeed the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2 And Jesus calling a little boy, set him in the midst of them,

3 and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be changed and be 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 shall be greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whosoever shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me.

6 And whosoever shall cause one of these little ones, who believe in me, to stumble, it were better for him that a millstone was hung at his neck, and that he was sunk in the depth of the sea.

7 Wo to the world because of offences! for there is a necessity that offences come: nevertheless, wo to that man by whom the offence cometh!

8 If then thy hand, or thy foot, lead thee to offend, cut them off, and cast them from thee: for it were better for thee to enter into life, halting or maimed, than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the fire, which is eternal.

9 And if thine eye lead thee to offend, pluck it out and cast it from thee, for it were better for thee to enter into life with one eye only, than having two eyes to be cast into hell-fire.

10 See that ye despise not one of these little ones, for I say unto you, That their angels in heaven 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 a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them stray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine in the mountains, and go and seek that which had strayed?

13 And if he happen to find it, verily I say unto you, that he rejoiceth over it more than over the ninety and nine which never went astray.