¹⁷ If they refuse to listen to them, tell the church. And if they refuse to listen to the church, treat them as you would treat someone who does not know God or who is a tax collector.

¹⁸ “I can assure you that when you speak judgment here on earth, it will be God’s judgment. And when you promise forgiveness here on earth, it will be God’s forgiveness.^{[a] 19} To say it another way, if two of you on earth agree on anything you pray for, my Father in heaven will do what you ask.