³ “Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like little children,^(A) you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.^(B)

Blessing the Children

¹³ Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.^{(A) 14} Jesus said, “Leave the little children alone, and don’t try to keep them from coming to me, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”^{[a](B) 15} After placing his hands on them, he went on from there.

Blessing the Children

¹³ People^(A) were bringing little children^(B) to him in order that he might touch them, but the 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, because the kingdom of God^(G) belongs to such as these. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you,^(H) whoever does not receive^[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.