³ “I assure you,” He said, “unless you are converted^[a] and become like children,^(A) you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.^(B)

Blessing the Children

¹³ Then children were brought to Him so He might put His hands on them and pray. But the disciples rebuked them.^{(A) 14} Then Jesus said, “Leave the children alone, and don’t try to keep them from coming to Me, because the kingdom of heaven is made up of people like this.”^{[a](B) 15} After putting His hands on them, He went on from there.

Blessing the Children

¹³ Some^(A) people were bringing little children^(B) to Him so He might touch them, but His disciples rebuked^(C) them. ¹⁴ When Jesus saw it, He was indignant^(D) and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me.^(E) Don’t stop^(F) them, for the kingdom of God^(G) belongs to such as these. ¹⁵ I assure you:^(H) Whoever does not welcome^[a](I) the kingdom of God like a little child^(J) will never enter it.” ¹⁶ After taking them in His arms, He laid His hands on^(K) them and blessed^(L) them.