Chapter XXXIII

DEATH FORETOLD AGAIN--PAYS TRIBUTE--CAUTION AGAINST GIVING OFFENCE.

After these things Jesus departed thence, and passed through Galilee; for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. And he would not that any man should know _it_. And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man
shall be betrayed into the hands of men: and they shall kill
him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third
day.

But they understood not that saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying. And they were exceeding sorry.

Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute _money_ came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying,

What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth
take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of
strangers?

Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him,

Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should
offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up
the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his
mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money; that take, and give
unto them for me and thee.

And being in the house he asked them,

What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who _should be_ the greatest. And Jesus perceiving the thought of their heart, sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them,

If any man desire to be first, _the same_ shall be last of
all, and servant of all.

And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,

Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name,
receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not
me, but him that sent me, for he that is least among you all,
the same shall be great.

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him,

Forbid _him_ not: for there is no man which shall do a
miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he
that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall
give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong
to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his
reward. And whosoever shall offend one of _these_ little ones
that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were
hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off; it is better for thee
to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into
hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their
worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee
to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into
hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their
worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for
thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than
having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: where their worm
dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice
shall be salted with salt. Salt _is_ good: but if the salt
have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt
in yourselves, and have peace one with another.