hen he was come into the house, Jesus
prevented him, saying: What is thy opinion, Simon? The kings of the
earth, of whom do they receive tribute or custom, of their own children,
or of strangers?

17:25. And he said: Of strangers. Jesus said to him: Then the children
are free.

17:26. But that we may not scandalize them, go to the sea, and cast in a
hook: and that fish which shall first come up, take: and when thou hast
opened it's mouth, thou shalt find a stater: take that, and give it to
them for me and thee.

Matthew Chapter 18

Christ teaches humility, to beware of scandal, and to flee the occasions
of sin: to denounce to the church incorrigible sinners, and to look upon
such as refuse to hear the church as heathens. He promises to his
disciples the power of binding and loosing: and that he will be in the
midst of their assemblies. No forgiveness for them that will not
forgive.

18:1. At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who, thinkest
thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?

18:2. And Jesus, calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst
of them.

18:3. And said: amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become
as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

18:4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he
is the greater in the kingdom of heaven.

18:5. And he that shall receive one such little child in my name,
receiveth me.

18:6. But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe
in me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about
his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Shall scandalize... That is, shall put a stumblingblock in their way,
and cause them to fall into sin.

18:7. Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that
scandals come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal
cometh.

It must needs be, etc... Viz., considering the wickedness and corruption
of the world.

18:8. And if thy hand, or thy foot, scandalize thee, cut it off, and
cast it from thee. It is better for thee to go into life maimed or lame,
than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire.

Scandalize thee... That is, cause thee to offend.

18:9. And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out, and cast it from
thee. It is better for thee having one eye to enter into life, than
having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

18:10. See that