The greatest in the kingdom is the one who becomes like a child. Jesus tells of the lost sheep, explains how to settle wrongs between believers, and tells Peter to forgive seventy times seven.
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus , saying , Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven ?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him , and set him in the midst of them ,
3 And said , Verily I say unto you , Except ye be converted , and become as little children , ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven .
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child , the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven .
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me .
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me , it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck , and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea .
7 Woe unto the world because of offences ! for it must needs be that offences come ; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh !
8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee , cut them off , and cast them from thee : it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed , rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire .
9 And if thine eye offend thee , pluck it out , and cast it from thee : it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye , rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire .
10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones ; for I say unto you , That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven .
11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost .
12 How think ye ? if a man have an hundred sheep , and one of them be gone astray , doth he not leave the ninety and nine , and goeth into the mountains , and seeketh that which is gone astray ?
13 And if so be that he find it , verily I say unto you , he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray .
14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven , that one of these little ones should perish .
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee , go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone : if he shall hear thee , thou hast gained thy brother .
16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more , that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established .
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them , tell it unto the church : but if he neglect to hear the church , let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican .
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 .
19 Again I say unto you , That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask , it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven .
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name , there am I in the midst of them .
21 Then came Peter to him , and said , Lord , how oft shall my brother sin against me , and I forgive him ? till seven times ?
22 Jesus saith unto him , I say not unto thee , Until seven times : but , Until seventy times seven .
23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king , which would take account of his servants .
24 And when he had begun to reckon , one was brought unto him , which owed him ten thousand talents .
25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay , his lord commanded him to be sold , and his wife , and children , and all that he had , and payment to be made .
26 The servant therefore fell down , and worshipped him , saying , Lord , have patience with me , and I will pay thee all .
27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion , and loosed him , and forgave him the debt .
28 But the same servant went out , and found one of his fellowservants , which owed him an hundred pence : and he laid hands on him , and took him by the throat , saying , Pay me that thou owest .
29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet , and besought him , saying , Have patience with me , and I will pay thee all .
30 And he would not : but went and cast him into prison , till he should pay the debt .
31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done , they were very sorry , and came and told unto their lord all that was done .
32 Then his lord , after that he had called him , said unto him , O thou wicked servant , I forgave thee all that debt , because thou desiredst me :
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant , even as I had pity on thee ?
34 And his lord was wroth , and delivered him to the tormentors , till he should pay all that was due unto him .
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you , if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses .