1At that time the disciples came to Jesus inquiring, Who shall be the greatest in the Reign of Heaven? 2Jesus calling to him a child, placed him in the midst of them, 3and said, Indeed, I say to you, unless you be changed, and become as children, you shall never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Whosoever, therefore, shall become humble like this child. 5Nay, whosoever receives one such child, in my name, receives me: 6but whosoever shall ensnare any of these little ones, who believe in me, it were better for him that an upper millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were sunk in the ocean. 7Alas for the world because of snares! Snares indeed there must be; nevertheless, alas for the ensnarer! 8Wherefore, if your hand or foot ensnare you, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter lame or maimed into life, than having two hands or feet to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9And if your eye ensnare you, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter one-eyed into life, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. 10Beware of contemning any of these little ones; for I assure you, that in heaven, their angels continually behold the face of my heavenly Father: 11and the Son of Man is come to recover the lost. 12What think you? If a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them has strayed, will he not leave the ninety-nine upon the mountains, and go in quest of the stray? 13And if he happens to find it, indeed, I say to you, he derives greater joy from it, than from the ninety-nine which went not astray. 14Thus it is not the will of your Father in heaven, that any of these little ones should be lost. 15Wherefore, if your brother trespass against you, go and expostulate with him, when you and he are alone together. If he hear you, you have gained your brother; 16but if he will not hear, take one or two along with you, that by the testimony of two or three witnesses everything may be ascertained. 17If he despises them, tell the congregation; and if he despise the congregation also, let him be to you as a pagan or a publican. 18Indeed, I say to you, whatsoever you shall bind on the earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever you shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven. 19Again, I say to you, whatever two of you upon the earth shall agree to ask, shall be granted them by my Father, who is in heaven. 20For wherever two or three are assembled in my name, I am in the midst of them. 21Then Peter approaching, said to him, Master, if my brother repeatedly trespass against me, how often must I forgive him? must I seven times? 22Jesus answered, I say to you, not seven times, but seventy times seven times. 23In this the Administration of Heaven resembles a king, who determined to settle accounts with his servants. 24Having begun to reckon, one was brought, who owed him ten thousand talents. 25But that servant not having the means to pay; his master, to obtain payment, commanded that he, and his wife and children, and all that he had should be sold. 26Then the servant, throwing himself prostrate before his master, cried, Have patience with me, my lord, and I will pay the whole. 27And his master had compassion upon him, and dismissed him, remitting the debt. 28But this servant, as he went out, meeting one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred denarii, seized him by the throat, saying, Pay me what you owe. 29His fellow-servant, falling down, besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you. 30And he would not, but instantly caused him to be imprisoned, until he should discharge the debt. 31His fellow-servants seeing this, were deeply affected, and went, and informed their master of all that had passed. 32Then his master, having given orders to call him, said to him, You wicked servant: all that debt I forgave you, because you besought me. 33Ought not you to have shown such pity to your fellow-servant, as I showed to you? 34So his master, being provoked, delivered him to the jailors, to remain in their hands until he should clear the debt. 35Thus will my heavenly Father treat every one of you, who forgives not, from his heart, his brother.