Matthew 18

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

The disciples approached Jesus together, curiously asking, "Who is considered the greatest in heaven's kingdom?"

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

Jesus gently beckoned a small child to come to him, placing the innocent one among them, radiating love and warmth.

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Truly, I tell you, unless you change and become as innocent as little children, you won't be able to enter heaven's kingdom.

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Whoever can lower their ego and be as innocent as a child, they will be the most honored in heaven.

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Whoever welcomes a single innocent child with love, in my name, is truly welcoming me.

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall into sin, it would be better for them to have a heavy millstone hung around their neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

How terrible for the world because of the things that lead people into sin! Such things are bound to come, but how terrible it will be for the person through whom they come!

Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: 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.

If your hand or your foot leads you into sin, cut it off and throw it away. It's better to enter life crippled or lame than to keep both hands and both feet and be thrown into the eternal fire.

And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

If your eye leads you to sin, remove it. It's better to live with one eye than to have both and be condemned to eternal fire.

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Be careful not to look down on any child, for I assure you, their guardian angels are always in the presence of my Father in heaven.

For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

The Son of Man has arrived to rescue those who were astray.

How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

Don't you think that if a man had a hundred sheep and one got lost, he would leave the ninety-nine and search the mountains for the lost one?

And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

If he finds it, trust me, his joy for that one lost sheep is greater than for the ninety-nine that never strayed.

Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Your Heavenly Father doesn't want any of these innocent ones to be lost.

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

If your sibling wrongs you, speak to them privately about their mistake. If they listen, you've mended your relationship.

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

If they won't listen to you alone, bring one or two others along. Their combined voices will validate your words.

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

If he ignores your advice, share it with the community. But if he still doesn't listen, consider him as an outsider or a stranger.

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Truly, I assure you, whatever decisions you make on earth will be reflected in heaven, and whatever you let go on earth will also be released in heaven.

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

I assure you, when two of you on earth agree and pray for something, my Father in heaven will make it happen.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

When a couple or a few come together in my honor, you'll find me right there with them.

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Peter approached Jesus, asking with a heavy heart, "Master, how many times should I forgive my brother who wrongs me? Seven times?"

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Jesus told him, "Don't forgive just seven times, but forgive 490 times."

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

Thus, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

As he started to settle accounts, a man was brought before him who owed him an enormous debt.

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.

Since he couldn't pay his debt, his master ordered that he, his wife, his children, and everything he owned be sold to settle the account.

The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Overwhelmed, the servant collapsed, pleading with deep reverence, "Please, Lord, bear with me. I promise to repay you in full."

Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

The servant's master, deeply touched, set him free and kindly forgave his debt.

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

But the servant left and found a coworker who owed him a small amount. He grabbed him, choking him, demanding, "Pay back what you owe me."

And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

His companion fell to his knees, pleading with him, "Please, give me time, I promise to repay you in full."

And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

He refused to show mercy, instead, he imprisoned him until he could repay his debt.

So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

When his companions witnessed his actions, they were deeply saddened. They rushed to their master, recounting everything that had happened.

Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

After summoning him, his master said, "You wicked servant, I cleared your entire debt because you pleaded with me."

Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

Shouldn't you have shown kindness to your fellow man, just as I showed mercy to you?

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

His master was furious and handed him over to the torturers until he could repay his entire debt.

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

In the same way, if you don't sincerely forgive others for their mistakes, my heavenly Father will treat you the same.