Matthew 18:1-9

International Standard Version

True Greatness^(A)

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom from^[a] heaven?”

² Calling a little child forward, he had him stand among them. ³ Then he said, “I tell all of you^[b] with certainty, unless you change^[c] and become like little children, you will never get into the kingdom from^[d] heaven. ⁴ Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom from^[e] heaven, ⁵ and whoever receives a little child like this in my name receives me.”

Causing Others to Sin^(B)

⁶ “If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a large millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned at the bottom of the sea. ⁷ How terrible it will be for the world due to its temptations to sin! Temptations to sin are bound to happen, but how terrible it will be for that person who causes someone to sin!

⁸ “So if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life injured or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. ⁹ And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell^[f] fire.