Matthew 18
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At a that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
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Then Jesus called a little b child to Him, set him in the midst of them,
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and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, c unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
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d "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
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e "Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
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f "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
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"Woe to the world because of offenses! For g offenses must come, but h woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
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i "If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.
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"And if your eye causes you to sin, 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 hell fire.
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"Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven j their angels always k see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
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l "For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
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m "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?
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"And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.
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"Even so it is not the n will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
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"Moreover o if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, p you have gained your brother.
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"But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that q 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'
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"And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a r heathen and a tax collector.
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"Assuredly, I say to you, s whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
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t "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, u it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.
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"For where two or three are gathered v together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
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Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? w Up to seven times?"
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Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, x up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
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"Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
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"And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
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"But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded y that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
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"The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'
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"Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
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"But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!'
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"So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'
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"And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
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"So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
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"Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you z all that debt because you begged me.
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'Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?'
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"And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
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a "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses."
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Cross References
Mark 9:33 - 37
Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, "What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?
Luke 9:46 - 48
Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest.
Luke 22:24 - 27
Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.
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Cross References
Matthew 19:14
But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 10:14
But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
Luke 18:14 - 17
"I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
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Cross References
Psalms 131:2
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like ...
Matthew 19:14
But Jesus said, "Let the little children come t...
Mark 10:15
"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not rece...
Luke 18:16
But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the...
1 Corinthians 14:20
Brethren, do not be children in understanding; ...
1 Peter 2:2
As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the w...
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Cross References
Matthew 20:27
And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave -
Matthew 23:11
But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
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Cross References
Matthew 10:42
"And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."
Luke 9:48
And said to them, "Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.
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Cross References
Mark 9:42
But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.
Luke 17:2
It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
1 Corinthians 8:12
But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
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Cross References
Luke 17:1
Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!
1 Corinthians 11:19
For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.
1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.
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Cross References
Matthew 26:24
"The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born."
Matthew 27:4
Saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." And they said, "What is that to us? You see to it!
Matthew 27:5
Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
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Cross References
Matthew 5:29
If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
Matthew 5:30
And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
Mark 9:43
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -
Mark 9:45
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -
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Cross References
Psalms 34:7
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.
Zechariah 13:7
Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, Against the Man who is My Companion," Says the LORD of hosts. "Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones.
Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
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Cross References
Esther 1:14
Those closest to him being Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who had access to the king's presence, and who ranked highest in the kingdom):
Luke 1:19
And the angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.
Acts 12:15
But they said to her, "You are beside yourself!" Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, "It is his angel.
Revelation 8:2
And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.
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Cross References
Luke 9:56
For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." And they went to another village.
John 3:17
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
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Cross References
Matthew 18:12 - 14
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?
Luke 15:4 - 7
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?
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Cross References
1 Timothy 2:4
Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
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Cross References
Leviticus 19:17
You shall not hate your brother in your heart. ...
Luke 17:3
Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins a...
Luke 17:4
"And if he sins against you seven times in a da...
Galatians 6:1
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass...
2 Thessalonians 3:15
Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish ...
James 5:19
Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the ...
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Cross References
James 5:20
Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 3:1
Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives.
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Cross References
Deuteronomy 17:6
Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to d...
Deuteronomy 19:15
One witness shall not rise against a man concer...
John 8:17
It is also written in your law that the testimo...
2 Corinthians 13:1
This will be the third time I am coming to you....
1 Timothy 5:19
Do not receive an accusation against an elder e...
Hebrews 10:28
Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without...
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Cross References
Romans 16:17
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
1 Corinthians 5:9
I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people.
2 Thessalonians 3:6
But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.
2 Thessalonians 3:14
And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.
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Cross References
Matthew 16:19
"And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
John 20:22
And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
John 20:23
"If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
1 Corinthians 5:4
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:10
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
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Cross References
1 John 3:22
And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
1 John 5:14
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
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Cross References
Acts 20:7
Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
1 Corinthians 14:26
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
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Cross References
Luke 17:4
"And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."
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Cross References
Matthew 6:14
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Mark 11:25
And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.
Colossians 3:13
Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
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Cross References
Exodus 21:2
If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing.
Leviticus 25:39
And if one of your brethren who dwells by you becomes poor, and sells himself to you, you shall not compel him to serve as a slave.
2 Kings 4:1
A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.
Nehemiah 5:5
"Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children; and indeed we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have been brought into slavery. It is not in our power to redeem them, for other men have our lands and vineyards."
Nehemiah 5:8
And I said to them, "According to our ability we have redeemed our Jewish brethren who were sold to the nations. Now indeed, will you even sell your brethren? Or should they be sold to us?" Then they were silenced and found nothing to say.
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Cross References
Luke 7:41 - 43
There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
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Cross References
Proverbs 21:13
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.
Matthew 6:12
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
Mark 11:26
"But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."
James 2:13
For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.