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True Greatness

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.(A) Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.(B)

Temptations to Sin

“If any of you cause one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,[a] it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea.(C) Woe to the world because of things that cause sin![b] Such things are bound to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!(D)

“If your hand or your foot causes you to sin,[c] cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire.(E) And if your eye causes you to sin,[d] tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell[e] of fire.(F)

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

10 “Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.[f](G) 12 What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of your[g] Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.

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Footnotes

  1. 18.6 Or stumble
  2. 18.7 Or stumbling blocks
  3. 18.8 Or stumble
  4. 18.9 Or stumble
  5. 18.9 Gk Gehenna
  6. 18.10 Other ancient authorities add 18.11, For the Son of Man came to save the lost
  7. 18.14 Other ancient authorities read my