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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 18 NLT</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/matthew/18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/matthew/18-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">NLT</a> > Matthew 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../matthew/17.htm" title="Matthew 17">◄</a> Matthew 18 <a href="../matthew/19.htm" title="Matthew 19">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">New Living Translation</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/nlt/esv/matthew/18.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></td></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="hdg">The Greatest in the Kingdom</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>Then he said, <span class="red">“I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span><span class="red">So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.</span></p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span><span class="red">“And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">a</span></a> is welcoming me.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span><span class="red">But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.</span></p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span><span class="red">“What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span><span class="red">So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span><span class="red">And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">b</span></a></span></p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span><span class="red">“Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">c</span></a></span></p><p class="hdg">Parable of the Lost Sheep</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span><span class="red">“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span><span class="red">And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away!</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span><span class="red">In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.</span></p><p class="hdg">Correcting Another Believer</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span><span class="red">“If another believer<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">d</span></a> sins against you,<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">e</span></a> go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span><span class="red">But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span><span class="red">If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.</span></p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span><span class="red">“I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">f</span></a> on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">g</span></a> on earth will be permitted in heaven.</span></p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span><span class="red">“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span><span class="red">For where two or three gather together as my followers,<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">h</span></a> I am there among them.”</span></p><p class="hdg">Parable of the Unforgiving Debtor</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">i</span></a> who sins against me? Seven times?”</p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span><span class="red">“No, not seven times,”</span> Jesus replied, <span class="red">“but seventy times seven!<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">j</span></a></span></p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span><span class="red">“Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span><span class="red">In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars.<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">k</span></a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span><span class="red">He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.</span></p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span><span class="red">“But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span><span class="red">Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.</span></p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span><span class="red">“But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars.<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">l</span></a> He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.</span></p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span><span class="red">“His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span><span class="red">But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full.</span></p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span><span class="red">“When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span><span class="red">Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span><span class="red">Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span><span class="red">Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.</span></p><p class="reg"> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/18-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span><span class="red">“That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters<a href="#footnotes"><span class="fn">m</span></a> from your heart.”</span></p><A name="footnotes"></a><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn">a</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">18:5 </span><span class="ft">Greek </span><span class="it">in my name.</span><br><span class="fn">b</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">18:9 </span><span class="ft">Greek </span><span class="it">the Gehenna of fire.</span><br><span class="fn">c</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">18:10 </span><span class="ft">Some manuscripts add verse 11, </span><span class="it">And the Son of Man came to save those who are lost.</span><span class="ft"> Compare Luke 19:10.</span><br><span class="fn">d</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">18:15a </span><span class="ft">Greek </span><span class="it">If your brother.</span><br><span class="fn">e</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">18:15b </span><span class="ft">Some manuscripts do not include </span><span class="it">against you.</span><br><span class="fn">f</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">18:18a </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="it">bind,</span><span class="ft"> or </span><span class="it">lock.</span><br><span class="fn">g</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">18:18b </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="it">loose,</span><span class="ft"> or </span><span class="it">open.</span><br><span class="fn">h</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">18:20 </span><span class="ft">Greek </span><span class="it">gather together in my name.</span><br><span class="fn">i</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">18:21 </span><span class="ft">Greek </span><span class="it">my brother.</span><br><span class="fn">j</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">18:22 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="it">seventy-seven times.</span><br><span class="fn">k</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">18:24 </span><span class="ft">Greek </span><span class="it">10,000 talents</span><span class="ft"> [375 tons or 340 metric tons of silver].</span><br><span class="fn">l</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">18:28 </span><span class="ft">Greek </span><span class="it">100 denarii.</span><span class="ft"> A denarius was equivalent to a laborer’s full day’s wage.</span><br><span class="fn">m</span><note caller="+" style="f"><span class="fr">18:35 </span><span class="ft">Greek </span><span class="it">your brother.</span><br></span></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center"><em>Holy Bible</em>, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of <a href="http://www.tyndale.com">Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.</a>, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. 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