The Greatest in the Kingdom

(Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-50)

1At the same time came the disciples to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2And Jesus called a little child to him, and set him in the midst of them, 3And said, Verily I say to you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoever shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me. 6But whoever shall cause one of these little ones who believe in me, to sin, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Temptations and Trespasses

(Mark 9:42-50; Luke 17:1-4)

7Woe to the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!

8Wherefore, if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to sin, 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. 9And if thy eye causeth thee to sin, 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.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

(Luke 15:1-7)

10Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. 11For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

12How think ye? if a man hath a hundred sheep, and one of them is gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and go to the mountains, and seek that which is gone astray? 13And if he findeth it, verily I say to you, he rejoiceth more over that sheep, than over the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

A Brother who Sins

(Deuteronomy 19:15-21)

15Moreover, 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. 16But 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. 17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the church: but if he shall neglect to hear the church, let him be to thee as a heathen and a publican. 18Verily I say to you, Whatever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven: and whatever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.

19Again I say to you, That if two of you shall agree on earth, concerning any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. 20For where two or three are assembled in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

(Romans 12:14-21)

21Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22Jesus saith to him, I say not to thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

23Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king who would take account of his servants. 24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25But as he had not ability to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26The servant therefore fell down, and worshiped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me what thou owest. 29And his fellow-servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told to their lord all that was done. 32Then his lord, having called him, said to him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33Shouldst thou not also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as I had pity on thee? 34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due to him. 35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do to you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.