She conducted the just, when he fled from his brother’s wrath, through the right ways, and shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him the knowledge of the holy things, made him honourable in his labours, and accomplished his labours.11 In the deceit of them that overreached him, she stood by him, and made him honourable.12 She kept him safe from his enemies, and she defended him from seducers, and gave him a strong conflict, that he might overcome, and know that wisdom is mightier than all.13 She forsook not the just when he was sold, but delivered him from sinners: she went down with him into the pit.14 And in bands she left him not, till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: and shewed them to be liars that had accused him, and gave him everlasting glory.
Just. Joseph. (Challoner) — Sinners. His brethren, &c. Septuagint, “from sin” of adultery. (Menochius) — Pit. Or prison, to which he was confined at the instigation of Potiphar’s wife, always preserving his virtue. (Calmet) — He had also been let down into an old pit by his brethren. (Haydock)
At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying: Who thinkest thou is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?2 And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them,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.4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven.5 And he that shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me.
Herein we ought to be imitators of the disciples, that when any question of doubt arises among us, and we find not how to settle it, We should with one consent go to Jesus, Who is able to enlighten the hearts of men to the explication of every perplexity. We shall also consult some of the doctors, who are thought most eminent in the Churches. But in that they asked this question, the disciples knew that there was not an equality among the saints in the kingdom of heaven; what they yet sought to learn was, how they were so, and lived as greater and less. Or, from what the Lord had said above, they knew Who was the best and who was great; but out of many great, who was the greatest, this Was not clear to them.
But how can he who has been converted, and become as a little child, be yet liable to be scandalized? This may be thus explained. Every one who believes on the Son of God, and walks after evangelic acts, is converted and walks as a little child; but he who is not converted that he may become as a child, it is impossible that he should enter into the kingdom of heaven. But in every congregation of believers, there are some only newly converted that they may become as little children, but not yet made such; these are the little ones in Christ, and these are they that receive offence.
About CSB. A personal translation of the New Testament, rendered directly from the public-domain Greek in a literary style — not a scholarly critical edition, and not for liturgical or doctrinal authority. It is one reader's work, offered for enjoyment; where it matters, weigh it against an established translation. (Placeholder text — final wording to come.)