Matthew 18:1-9 ▼

1 At the same time came the disciples to Jesus, saying, who is to be the greatest in the kingdom of the Messiah?

2 and Jesus called a child to him, set him in the midst of them,

3 and said, I declare to you, except ye lay aside your ambition, and become as children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of the Messias.

4 he therefore who shall become as void of ambition as this child, he shall be greatest in the kingdom of the Messiah.

5 and whoever shall receive one that is like such a child, in my name, receiveth me.

6 But whoever shall occasion such an humble believer to fall off from the faith, it were better for him that a mill-stone were hang'd about his neck, and that he were plung'd to the bottom of the sea.

7 wo unto the world, because of such scandals: tho' it cannot be, but that such occasions of relapsing should happen: yet wo to that man by whom the scandal cometh.

8 wherefore if thy hand or thy foot occasions thee to relapse, lop them off, and cast them away: 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 occasions thee to relapse, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two to be cast into hell-fire.