Now people were bringing little children to him for him to touch, but the disciples scolded those who brought them.

And they began making fun of him. But he put them all outside and he took the child’s father and mother and his own companions and went into the room where the child was.

When he entered he said to them, “Why are you distressed and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.”

Immediately the father of the boy cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them,

Then, gently taking the child by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up.”

She answered, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

She went home and found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.