The greatest in the Kingdom1"Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?" the disciples asked Jesus.2He called a little child over and had him stand in their midst.3"I tell you the truth," He said, "you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven unless you are converted and become like little children.4So whoever humbles himself and becomes childlike is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.5"What is more, anyone welcoming a little child like this in My name, also welcomes Me.6But if anyone causes one of My little ones to sin, it would be better for him to be drowned in the sea with a large millstone hung round his neck!7"The world is under a curse for the way it causes people to sin! Such things inevitably happen, but the one through whom they happen is cursed!8If you sin because of what you do with your hand or foot, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better to enter eternal life maimed or crippled than to have all your limbs and be cast into eternal fire.9And if you sin by the wrong use of your eye, gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better to enter eternal life with one eye than to have both and be cast into the fire of hell.The parable of the lost sheep10"So be sure that you do not look down on one of My little children. For I tell you clearly that in heaven their angels look continually on the face of My Father."11The Son of Man came to save those who are lost.12"What do you think about this? Suppose a man owns a hundred sheep and one of them strays, will he not leave the ninety-nine grazing on the hills and go in search of the stray?13I tell you most emphatically, he is happier over that one sheep when he finds it than over the rest which did not stray.14In the same way your Father in heaven does not want even one of His little children to be lost.Forgive your brother15"When a brother sins against you, go to him and between the two of you show him how he has wronged you. If he listens, both of you will be reconciled.16If he refuses to listen, then take one or two others with you to confront him with his wrong. This fulfils what is written, that the testimony of two or three witnesses is needed to determine a dispute!17If he still refuses to acknowledge his guilt, then the whole church needs to be told of the matter. If he still thinks he is in the right, despite what the whole church says, then he is to be treated in the same way as you would a pagan or a crooked tax collector.18"I tell you this truth most emphatically, you have authority to prevent on earth what heaven does not allow, and you can liberate on earth what has been liberated in heaven.19"I also tell you clearly that when two of you agree in faith about the outcome of any matter about which you pray, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven.20You see, whenever two or three of you gather together with faith in the authority of My name, I am there with you."The parable of the unmerciful servant21Peter then asked Jesus: "Well, Lord, how many times do You expect me to forgive my brother when he wrongs me? Would seven times be enough?"22"No, not seven times," Jesus answered, "I tell you to forgive seventy times seven.23"Therefore the Kingdom of heaven is like a king who needed to settle accounts with those indebted to him.24One man brought before him owed him millions.25Because he was unable to settle the debt, the master ordered that he, his wife, children and everything he possessed should be sold in repayment.26"At this the servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he pleaded, 'and I promise to pay back everything I owe.'27In compassion for him the servant's master cancelled the debt and released him.28"As soon as the servant had left his master's presence, he went in search of one of his fellow servants who owed him a pittance by comparison. He took hold of him and began to throttle him. 'Pay me what you owe me,' he demanded.29"His fellow servant fell on his knees and pleaded with him, 'Give me more time, and I will repay all I owe you.'30"But he refused to listen. Instead he had the man thrown into prison, where he was to be kept until the debt was repaid fully.31"When the other servants realised what had happened, they were so upset that they went and told their master everything that had taken place.32"Then the master recalled the servant and said to him, 'You wicked servant. I cancelled that enormous debt because you pleaded with me to do so.33Should you not have been just as merciful to your fellow servant?'34His master was so angry that he put him in the hands of the jailers to be tortured until the debt that was previously cancelled was fully repaid."35Then Jesus warned: "This is how My heavenly Father will deal with you unless you are merciful and forgive your brother from your heart."
Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE TRUTH VERSION. Copyright © 2009 by Colin Urquhart. All rights reserved worldwide. (The Truth New Testament)