| The same time the disciples came unto Jesus saying: who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Jesus called a child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said: Verily I say unto you: except ye turn, and become as children, ye cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore humble himself as this child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whosoever receiveth such a child in my name, receiveth me. But whosoever 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. Woe be unto the world because of offenses. How be it, it cannot be avoided but that offences shall be given. Nevertheless woe be to the man, by whom the offense cometh.
Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut him off and cast him from thee. It is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather then thou shouldest having two hands or two feet, be cast into everlasting fire. And if also thine eye offend thee, pluck him out and cast him from thee. It is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. See that ye despise not one of these little ones. For I say unto you, that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my father, which is in heaven. Ye, and the son of man is come to save that which is lost. How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave ninety and nine in the mountains, and go and seek that one which is gone astray? If it happen that he find him, verily I say unto you: he rejoiceth more of that sheep, then of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your father in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Moreover if thy brother trespass against thee. Go and tell him his fault between him and thee alone. If he hear thee, thou hast won thy brother: But if he hear thee not, then take yet with thee one or two, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, all things may be established. If he hear not them, tell it unto the congregation. If he hear not the congregation, take him as an heathen man and as a publican. Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven. And whatsoever ye *lowse on earth, shall be *lowsed in heaven. Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree in earth upon any manner thing, whatsoever they shall desire: it shall be given them of my father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Then came Peter to him, and said: master, how oft shall I forgive my brother, if he sin against me, seven times? Jesus said unto him: I say not unto thee seven times: but seventy times seven times. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take accounts of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which ought him ten thousand talents: whom because he had nought to pay, his master commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant fell down and besought him saying: Sir, give me *respite, and I will pay it every whit. Then had the lord pity on that servant, and *lowsed him, and forgave him the debt.
And the said servant went out and found one of his fellows, which *ought him an hundred pence, and laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying: pay me that thou owest. And his fellow fell down and besought him saying: have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. When his other fellows saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their Lord all that had happened. Then his Lord called him, and said unto him. O evil servant I forgave thee all that debt, because thou prayedst me: was it not *mete also that thou shouldest have had compassion on thy fellow, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all that was due to him. So likewise shall my heavenly father do unto you, except ye forgive with your hearts, each one to his brother their trespasses. |
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