Matthew 18:1-14 ▼

1 At the same time came the disciples to Jesus, saying, who is to be the greatest in the kingdom of the Messiah?

2 and Jesus called a child to him, set him in the midst of them,

3 and said, I declare to you, except ye lay aside your ambition, and become as children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of the Messias.

4 he therefore who shall become as void of ambition as this child, he shall be greatest in the kingdom of the Messiah.

5 and whoever shall receive one that is like such a child, in my name, receiveth me.

6 But whoever shall occasion such an humble believer to fall off from the faith, it were better for him that a mill-stone were hang'd about his neck, and that he were plung'd to the bottom of the sea.

7 wo unto the world, because of such scandals: tho' it cannot be, but that such occasions of relapsing should happen: yet wo to that man by whom the scandal cometh.

8 wherefore if thy hand or thy foot occasions thee to relapse, lop them off, and cast them away: 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 occasions thee to relapse, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two to be cast into hell-fire.

10 take care not to despise one of such an humble disposition: for I tell you, that in heaven their angels are continually attending the presence of my father who is in heaven:

11 from whence the son of man is come, in order to save those that were lost.

12 If a man has an hundred sheep, and one of them should go astray, do you think he would not leave the ninety and nine in the mountains, and go in search for that which was gone astray?

13 and if he happen to find it, you may be sure he is more affected with that one, than with the ninety and nine which went not astray.

14 in like manner your heavenly father would not that any person of such humility should be lost.