At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2He called a child, whom he
put among them, 3
and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and
become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
4Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom
of heaven. 5Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes
me. 6
“If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones
who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were
fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling
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3
are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block
comes!
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“If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it
away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two
hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9And if your eye
causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to
enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the
hell of fire.”