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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.

¹⁵ Now in case such a brother do you an injury, go and expostulate with him in private: if he repents, thou hast saved thy brother. ¹⁶ but if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that the remonstrances of two or three persons may have its effect. ¹⁷ if he does not relent, tell it to the church: but if he is not moved by the church, show him no more regard than you would to a pagan or a publican. ¹⁸ I declare unto you, "whatever things ye disallow on earth, are disallow'd by heaven: and whatever ye authorize on earth, are authoriz'd by heaven." ¹⁹ I assure you, that if two of you shall live in agreement together, whatever they ask shall be granted to them by my heavenly father. ²⁰ for where two or three are assembled in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

²¹ Then Peter advancing to him, said, Lord, if my brother injures me, how many injuries must I forgive him? must I forgive him seven? ²² Jesus answered, I tell thee not only seven: but seventy times seven. ²³ In this respect the gospel-kingdom may be represented by that of a temporal prince, who had a mind to call his servants to account. ²⁴ when he had begun to reckon, one was brought to him indebted the sum of ten thousand talents. ²⁵ but being insolvent, his lord gave orders that he, with his wife, and children, and all that he had, should be sold for payment. ²⁶ the servant therefore fell prostrate before him, and cry'd out, Lord, allow me but time and I will pay the whole. ²⁷ upon which the lord of that vassal, touch'd with compassion, gave him his liberty, and discharged him of the debt. ²⁸ but this very servant presently after met with one of his fellow-servants, who owed him an hundred pence: and violently seizing him, said, pay me the debt. ²⁹ and his fellow-servant fell at his feet, and embraced him, saying, allow me time, and I will pay thee all. ³⁰ which he would not allow: but immediately threw him into prison, till he should pay the debt. ³¹ his fellow-servants upon seeing this were very much concern'd, and went to acquaint their master with what had pass'd. ³² then his lord order'd him to be call'd, and said to him, O thou wicked slave, I forgave thee all thy debt, upon your request: ³³ should not you then have had the like compassion for thy fellow servant as I had for thee? ³⁴ so that his lord in great displeasure delivered him to the jayler till he should pay the whole debt. ³⁵ in the same manner will my heavenly father likewise treat you, if ye do not sincerely forgive every one the trespasses of his brother.