5 [17:24]And when they came to Capernaum, those who received the didrachma [28 cents], came to Peter, and said, Does not your teacher pay the didrachma? [17:25]He said, Yes. And when he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive taxes, or a tribute? From their children, or from strangers? [17:26]He said to him, From strangers. Jesus said to him; Then are the children free; [17:27]but that we may not offend them, go to the lake, and cast in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and opening its mouth you will find a stater [56 cents]. Take that and give it to them, for me and you. CHAPTER XVI. CHRIST'S DOCTRINE OF GREATNESS.--OFFENSES AND THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. 1 [18:1]AT that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? [18:2]And calling a little child, he set it in the midst of them, [18:3]and said, I tell you truly, that if you do not turn and become like little children, you can by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven. [18:4]Whoever humbles himself like this little child, shall be greatest in the kingdom of heaven; [18:5]and whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives me; [18:6]but whoever offends one of these little ones that believe in me, it would be better for him that a millstone should be hung to his neck, and that he should be plunged into the depths of the sea. 2 [18:7]Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must necessarily come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! [18:8]If your hand or foot offends you, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame, or crippled, than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire. [18:9]And if your eye offends you, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life having one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire. 3 [18:10]See that you despise not one of these little ones; for I tell you that their angels always behold the face of my Father in heaven. [18:12]What think you? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them is lost, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountain, and go and seek for the lost one? [18:13]And if he finds it, I tell you truly that he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which were not lost. [18:14]So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.