Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

He teaches his disciples to be humble and harmless, to avoid occasions of inducement to sin, and to forgive one another their offences.

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? ² Jesus called a child to him, and set him in the midst of them, ³ and said, Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become as children, you cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever therefore humbles himself like this child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever receives such a child in my name, receives me. ⁶ But whoever hurts one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. ⁷ Woe be to the world because of offences. However, it cannot be avoided but that offences will come. Nevertheless, woe be to the man by whom the offence comes.