1 It happened when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from
Galilee, and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 Great
multitudes followed him, and he healed them there. 3 Pharisees came to
him, testing him, and saying, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for
any reason?"
4 He answered, "Haven't you read that he who made them from the
beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, 'For this cause a man
shall leave his father and mother, and shall join to his wife; and the two
shall become one flesh?' 6 So that they are no more two, but one flesh.
What therefore God has joined together, don't let man tear apart."
7 They asked him, "Why then did Moses command us to give her a bill of
divorce, and divorce her?"
8 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts,
allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so.
9 I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality,
and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries her when she is
divorced commits adultery."
10 His disciples said to him, "If this is the case of the man with his
wife, it is not expedient to marry."
11 But he said to them, "Not all men can receive this saying, but
those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way
from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men;
and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven's
sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it."
13 Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands
on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said,
"Allow the little children, and don't forbid them to come to me; for to
such belongs the Kingdom of Heaven." 15 He laid his hands on them, and
departed from there.
16 Behold, one came to him and said, "Good teacher, what good thing shall
I do, that I may have eternal life?"
17 He said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but one,
that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the
commandments."
18 He said to him, "Which ones?"
Jesus said, "'You shall not murder.' 'You shall not commit adultery.'
'You shall not steal.' 'You shall not offer false testimony.' 19 'Honor
your father and mother.' And, 'You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.'"
20 The young man said to him, "All these things I have observed from my
youth. What do I still lack?"
21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you
have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come,
follow me." 22 But when the young man heard the saying, he went away
sad, for he was one who had great possessions. 23 Jesus said to his
disciples, "Most assuredly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the
Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a
camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the
Kingdom of God."
25 When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying,
"Who then can be saved?"
26 Looking at them, Jesus said, "With men this is impossible, but with
God all things are possible."
27 Then Peter answered, "Behold, we have left everything, and followed
you. What then will we have?"
28 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly I tell you that you who
have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the
throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the
twelve tribes of Israel. 29 Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or
sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's
sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life.
30 But many will be last who are first; and first who are last.
World English Bible - Public Domain |