Matthew 18
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At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" |
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And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, |
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and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. |
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Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. |
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"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; |
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but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. |
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"Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the man by whom the temptation comes! |
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And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. |
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And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire. |
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"See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. |
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What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? |
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And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. |
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So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. |
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"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. |