Worsley - Matthew - 18

18:1  At that time came the disciples to Jesus, saying, Who is to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

18:2  And Jesus calling to Him a little child, set it in the midst of them,

18:3  and said, Verily I declare unto you, unless ye be converted, and become like little children, ye shall never enter into the kingdom of heaven.

18:4  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he shall be greatest in the kingdom of heaven:

18:5  and whoever shall receive one such little child for my sake, receiveth me:

18:6  but whosoever shall lay a stumbling-block in the way of one of these little ones, who believe in me, it were better for him that a milstone were hung on his neck, and that he were thrown into the sea.

18:7  Wo will be to the world from such offenses; for it is of necessity that offenses come: but wo to that man by whom the offense cometh.

18:8  If then thy hand or thy foot cause thee to offend, cut them off and cast them from thee; it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire:

18:9  and if thine eye cause thee to offend, pluck it out and cast it from thee; it is better for thee to enter into life with but one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell-fire.

18:10  See that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I tell you, that their angels in heaven do continually appear in the presence of my father, who is in heaven:

18:11  for the Son of man came from thence to save that which was lost.

18:12  What think ye? if any man had an hundred sheep, and one of them should go astray, would he not leave the ninety and nine, and go upon the hills, and seek that which is gone astray?

18:13  And if he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more on account of that, than of the ninety nine which went not astray.

18:14  Even so it is not the will of your heavenly Father, that any one of these little ones should be lost.

18:15  And if thy brother trespass against thee, go and expostulate with him alone; if he hearken to thee, thou hast gained thy brother:

18:16  but if he regard thee not, take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

18:17  And if he disregard them, tell it to the church: but if he disregard the church too, let him be unto thee as an heathen and a publican.

18:18  Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.

18:19  And I tell you moreover, that if but two of you shall agree on earth concerning any thing which they would ask for, it shall be granted them by my Father who is in heaven:

18:20  for where two or three are assembled together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

18:21  Then Peter came to Him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him? to seven times?

18:22  Jesus answereth him, I tell thee not, to seven times, but to seventy times seven.

18:23  And therefore the gospel-kingdom is like unto a king, who had a mind to settle accounts with his servants:

18:24  and when he began to reckon, there was brought to him one, who was debtor in ten thousand talents:

18:25  and not having it to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had; and payment to be made.

18:26  The servant therefore fell prostrate before him, saying, Lord, bear with me a while, and I will pay thee all:

18:27  and his lord had compassion on him, and discharged him, and forgave him the debt.

18:28  But that same servant, as he was going out, met with one of his fellow-servants, who owed him but an hundred pence; and he laid hold on him and seized him by the throat, saying, Pay me what thou owest me:

18:29  and his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and intreated him, saying, Bear with me a while, and I will pay thee all.

18:30  And he would not: but went away and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.

18:31  Now when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were very much grieved, and came and acquainted their lord with all that had passed.

18:32  Then his lord called for him again, and said to him, Thou wicked slave, I forgave thee all that vast debt at thy request,

18:33  and oughtest not thou to have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had on thee?

18:34  And his lord being highly provoked delivered him to the officers, till he should pay all that was owing to him.

18:35  Thus will my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts their trespasses.