Matthew 18:16

Read it in 5 translations

KJV King James Version

But if he will not hear [thee, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

BSB Berean Standard Bible

But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’

WEB World English Bible

But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

ASV American Standard Version

But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established.

YLT Young’s Literal Translation

and if he may not hear, take with thee yet one or two, that by the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may stand.

Surrounding context — Matthew 18

13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that [sheep], than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16 But if he will not hear [thee, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

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Cross-references

Deuteronomy 19:15One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.2 Corinthians 13:1This [is] the third [time] I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.John 8:17It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.1 Timothy 5:19Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.Hebrews 10:28He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:Numbers 35:30Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person [to cause him] to die.Deuteronomy 17:6At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; [but] at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.1 Kings 21:13And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, [even] against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.Revelation 11:3And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.1 John 5:7-8For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION

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