18 About that time the disciples came to Jesus to ask which of them would be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven!

² Jesus called a small child over to him and set the little fellow down among them, ³ and said, “Unless you turn to God from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. ⁴ Therefore anyone who humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

¹³ Little children were brought for Jesus to lay his hands on them and pray. But the disciples scolded those who brought them. “Don’t bother him,” they said.

¹⁴ But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and don’t prevent them. For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” ¹⁵ And he put his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.