18
1 In that hour the disciples came to Yeshua [Salvation], saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (God)?”
2 Yeshua [Salvation] called a little child to himself, and set him in the middle of them, 3 and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven (God). 4 Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (God). 5 Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who trust in me to be scandalized ·to entrap, to cause weak knees that waiver, stumbling block that causes falling, distrusting one that should be trusted and obeyed, disapproving of authority, to judge unfavorably causing displeasure, indignant· , it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea.
7 “Woe to the world because of occasions of sin ·scandal, trap snare, entrapment·! For it must be that the sins ·scandals, trap snares, entrapments· come, but woe to that person through whom the occasion comes! 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to be scandalized ·to entrap, to cause weak knees that waiver, stumbling block that causes falling, distrusting one that should be trusted and obeyed, disapproving of authority, to judge unfavorably causing displeasure, indignant·, cut it off, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire. 9 If your eye causes you to be scandalized ·to entrap, to cause weak knees that waiver, stumbling block that causes falling, distrusting one that should be trusted and obeyed, disapproving of authority, to judge unfavorably causing displeasure, indignant·, pluck it out, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna (Place of fiery torment for the dead) of fire. 10 *See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of 'Avi shebashamayim ·my Father in Heaven·. 11 For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost.
12 “What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does not he leave the ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray? 13 If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of 'Avikah shebashamayim ·your Father in Heaven· that one of these little ones should perish.
15 “If your brother commits sin ·miss the mark and be without share· against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two more with you so that every accusation can be supported by the testimony of two or three witnesses. † 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector. 18 Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven. 19 Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by 'Avi shebashamayim ·my Father in Heaven·. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”
21 Then Peter [Rock] came and said to him, “Rabbi ·Teacher·, how often shall my brother commit sin ·miss the mark and be without share· against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?”
22 Yeshua [Salvation] said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven (God) is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants. 24 When he had begun to reconcile, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!’ 27 The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
28 “But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii (100 days wages), and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
29 “So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you!’ 30 He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told to their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord called him in, and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me. 33 Should not you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?’ 34 His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due to him. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his lapse and deviation from truth.”
* 18:10 . MP: The Messiah’s rejection will cause God to remove His protection of Israel. (Zech 13:7d) † 18:16 . Quoted from Deut 17:6, 19:15