1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2And Jesus called a little child to Him, and set him in front of them, 3And said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change, and become as little children, you shall never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever is as humble as this little child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoever welcomes one such little child in My name welcomes Me.

6“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble; it would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck, and thrown in and drowned in the depths of the sea. 7Woe to the world because of temptations to sin! For while temptations must come; woe to those by whom they come! 8Therefore, if your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away; it is better for you to go through life lame or maimed, than, having both hands and feet, to be thrown into eternal fire. 9And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and throw it away; it is better for you to go through life with one eye, than to have both eyes, and be thrown into the fire of hell.

10“See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven. 11For the Son of man has come to save that which was lost. 12What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine, and go into the hills, looking for the ones that has gone astray? 13And if he finds it, I truly say to you, he rejoices more over that one sheep, than over the ninety-nine which were safe in the fold. 14In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

15“And if a fellow believer trespasses against you, go and tell him his fault - just between the two of you. If he will hear you, you have gained (restored) your brother. 16But if he will not listen, then take one or two others with you, so that every word of the matter may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17And if he still refuses to hear them, tell it to the church; but if he refuses to hear the church, treat him as you would a heathen (pagan) or a tax collector. 18Truly, I tell you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19Again I say to you that if two of you on earth agree regarding anything that they ask, it shall be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in their midst.”

21Then Peter came to Him, and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22Jesus replied, “I tell you, not up to seven times; but, up to seventy times seven. 23Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24And as he began to settle accounts, one servant was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25But since he could not pay, his lord ordered him, his wife, and children, and all that he had, to be sold and payment to be made. 26Then the servant fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all that I owe.’ 27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, freed him, and forgave him (cancelled) the debt. 28But that same servant went out to one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred pence; and grabbed him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe.’ 29And his fellow servant fell at his feet, and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30But he refused; and, instead, had him thrown into prison until he should pay the debt. 31And when his fellow servants saw this, they were outraged, and came and told their lord what was done. 32Then his lord summoned him, and said, ‘You wicked servant, I forgave you all that large debt, because you begged me! 33Should you not have also had pity on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34And his lord was angry, and handed him over to the jailers, till he paid all that he owed him. 35My heavenly Father will treat you in a similar fashion, if you do not forgive from your heart trespasses of others.”