Matthew 18:1-9

Christian Standard Bible

Who Is the Greatest?

18 At that time^[a](A) the disciples^(B) came to Jesus and asked, “So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ^{(C) 2} He called a small child and had him stand among them. ³ “Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like little children,^(D) you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.^{(E) 4} Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever welcomes^[b] one child like this in my name welcomes me.

⁶ “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away—it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea.^{(F) 7} Woe to the world because of offenses. For offenses will inevitably come, but woe to that person by whom the offense comes.^{(G) 8} If your hand or your foot causes you to fall away, 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 be thrown into the eternal fire.^{(H) 9} And if your eye causes you to fall away, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hellfire.^[c](I)