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Sin and Forgiveness(A)

17 Jesus said to his ·followers [disciples], “·Things that cause people to sin [Stumbling blocks; Causes of sin; Temptations] ·will happen [are inevitable; L it is impossible for them not to come], but ·how terrible for [L woe to] the person who causes them to happen! It would be better for ·you [L him; that person] to be thrown into the sea with a ·large [L mill] stone around ·your [L his] neck than to cause one of these little ones to ·sin [stumble]. So ·be careful [watch yourselves]!

“If ·another follower [fellow believer; L your brother (or sister)] sins, ·warn [rebuke] him, and if he ·is sorry and stops sinning [repents], forgive him. If he sins against you seven times ·in one day [or each day] and ·says that he is sorry each time [repents seven times], forgive him.”

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Instructions

17 Jesus said to His disciples, “Stumbling blocks [temptations and traps set to lure one to sin] are sure to come, but woe (judgment is coming) to him through whom they come!(A) It would be better for him if a millstone [as large as one turned by a donkey] were hung around his neck and he were hurled into the sea, than for him to cause one of these [a]little ones to stumble [in sin and lose faith].(B) Pay attention and always be on guard [looking out for one another]! If your brother sins and disregards God’s precepts, solemnly warn him; and if he repents and changes, forgive him. Even if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him [that is, give up resentment and consider the offense recalled and annulled].”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 17:2 I.e. believers.