Sin, Forgiveness, Faith, and Service

17:1 Jesus1 said to his disciples, “Stumbling blocks are sure to come, but woe2 to the one through whom they come! 17:2 It would be better for him to have a millstone3 tied around his neck and be thrown into the sea4 than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.5 17:3 Watch6 yourselves! If7 your brother8 sins, rebuke him. If9 he repents, forgive him. 17:4 Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive10 him.”

17:5 The11 apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”12 17:6 So13 the Lord replied,14 “If15 you had faith the size of16 a mustard seed, you could say to this black mulberry17 tree, ‘Be pulled out by the roots and planted in the sea,’18 and it would obey19 you.

17:7 “Would any one of you say20 to your slave21 who comes in from the field after plowing or shepherding sheep, ‘Come at once and sit down for a meal’?22 17:8 Won’t23 the master24 instead say to him, ‘Get my dinner ready, and make yourself ready25 to serve me while26 I eat and drink. Then27 you may eat and drink’? 17:9 He won’t thank the slave because he did what he was told,28 will he?29 17:10 So you too, when you have done everything you were commanded to do, should say, ‘We are slaves undeserving of special praise;30 we have only done what was our duty.’ ”31