Chapter XXXIV: Lessons of Humility and Forgiveness

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 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. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this
little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name
receiveth 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.

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! 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.

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

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

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. 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.
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.

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. Again I say unto you, That if two
of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they
shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in
heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my
name, there am I in the midst of them.

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

I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy
times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a
certain king, which would take account of his servants. And
when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which
owed him ten thousand talents. But for as much 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. The
servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord,
have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord
of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and
forgave him the debt.

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow
servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands
on him, and took _him_ by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou
owest. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and
besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay
thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison,
till he should pay the debt.

So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very
sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
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; shouldest not thou also have had compassion
on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors,
till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise
shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your
hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.