30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were,
31
because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, âThe Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.â
32
But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.
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They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, âWhat were you arguing about on the road?â
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But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
35
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, âAnyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.â
36
He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them,
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âWhoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.â
Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us
38 âTeacher,â said John, âwe saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.â
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âDo not stop him,â Jesus said. âFor no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me,
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Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.
Causing to Stumble
42âIf anyone causes one of these little onesâthose who believe in meâto stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.
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If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.[a]
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And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.[b]
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And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,
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where â âthe worms that eat them do not die,and the fire is not quenched.â[c]