24And they having come to Capernaum, those who received the half-shekel came to Peter, and said: Does not your teacher pay the half-shekel[24]? 25He says, Yes. And when he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying: What thinkest thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take customs, or tribute? Of their sons, or of strangers? 26He says to him: Of strangers. Jesus said to him: Then are the sons free. 27But that we may not offend them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the fish that first comes up; and opening its mouth thou wilt find a shekel; that take, and give to them for me and thee.
XVIII. At that time came the disciples to Jesus, saying: Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2And Jesus, calling a little child to him, placed it in the midst of them, 3and said: Verily I say to you, if ye do not turn and become as the little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoever shall receive one such little child, in my name, receives me. 6But whoever shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to offend, it were better for him that an upper millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were plunged in the depth of the sea.
7Woe to the world, for causes of offense! For it must needs be that causes of offense come; but woe to that man, through whom the cause of offense comes! 8But if thy hand or thy foot causes thee to offend, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to enter into life lame or maimed, than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9And if thine eye causes thee to offend, pluck it out and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell-fire.
10Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. 11For the Son of man came to save that which was lost.
12What think ye? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them is gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine upon the mountains, and go and seek that which is gone astray? 13And if it be that he find it, verily I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety and nine that went not astray. 14So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that one of these little ones perish.
15But if thy brother shall sin against thee, go show him his fault between thee and him alone, If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16But if he hear not, 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; and if he neglect to hear the church also, 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 gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
21Then Peter came to him, and said: Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times? 22Jesus says 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 desired to make a reckoning with his servants. 24And when he had begun to reckon, there was brought to him one, who owed ten thousand talents[24]. 25But as he was not able 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, falling, prostrated himself before him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27And the lord of that servant, moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred denáries[28]; and laying hold of him he took him by the throat, saying: Pay me that thou owest. 29Therefore his fellow-servant fell down and besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee. 30And he would not; but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31And his fellow-servants, seeing what was done, were very sorry, and came and disclosed to their lord all that was done. 32Then having called him, his lord says to him: Thou wicked servant; I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me. 33Shouldest not thou also have had pity on thy fellow-servant, as I too had pity on thee? 34And his lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due to him. 35So also will my heavenly Father do to you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother.