Matthew
19
- When Jesus had finished saying these things,
he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the
Jordan.
- Large crowds followed him, and he healed
them there.
- Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They
asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every
reason ?"
- "Haven't you read," he replied,
"that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,'
- and said, 'For this reason a man will leave
his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one
flesh ?'
- So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore
what God has joined together, let man not separate."
- "Why then," they asked, "did
Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her
away ?"
- Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you
to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way
from the beginning.
- I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife,
except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."
- The disciples said to him, "If this
is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry."
- Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept
this word, but only those to whom it has been given.
- For some are eunuchs because they were born
that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage
because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept
it."
- Then little children were brought to Jesus
for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked
those who brought them.
- Jesus said, "Let the little children
come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such
as these."
- When he had placed his hands on them, he
went on from there.
- Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher,
what good thing must I do to get eternal life ?"
- "Why do you ask me about what is good?"
Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life,
obey the commandments."
- "Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied, "'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal,
do not give false testimony,
- honor your father and mother,' and 'love
your neighbor as yourself.'"
- "All these I have kept," the young
man said. "What do I still lack ?"
- Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect,
go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure
in heaven. Then come, follow me."
- When the young man heard this, he went away
sad, because he had great wealth.
- Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I
tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
- Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel
to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom
of God."
- When the disciples heard this, they were
greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved ?"
- Jesus looked at them and said, "With
man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
- Peter answered him, "We have left everything
to follow you! What then will there be for us ?"
- Jesus said to them, "I tell you the
truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious
throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging
the twelve tribes of Israel.
- And everyone who has left houses or brothers
or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive
a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
- But many who are first will be last, and
many who are last will be first.
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