Matthew 18:10-15

The Parable of the Wandering Sheep

10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.^[a]

12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?

13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.

14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

Dealing With Sin in the Church

15 “If your brother or sister ^[b] sins, ^[c] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 48:16; Psalms 34:7; Acts 12:11,15; Hebrews 1:14
• 2. Leviticus 19:17; Luke 17:3; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19,20

Footnotes

• [a]. Some manuscripts include here the words of Luke 19:10.
• [b]. The Greek word for "brother or sister" ("adelphos" ) refers here to a fellow disciple, whether man or woman; also in verses 21 and 35.
• [c]. Some manuscripts "sins against you"