- - When - Jesus had finished saying these things ... ... , He left ... - Galilee and went into the region - of Jude -a beyond the Jordan.
- Large crowds followed Him , and He healed them there.
Then (some) Pharisees came - (and) tested Him - by asking vvv , “ Is it lawful for a man to divorce his - wife for any reason ? ”
- - (Jesus) answered - , “ vvv Have you not read that from (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 flesh. Therefore what - God has joined together , (let) man not separate. ”
“ Why then , ” they asked - , “ {did} Moses order (a man) to give (his wife) a certificate of divorce and send (her) away ... ? ”
Jesus replied - - , “ Moses permitted you to divorce your - wives because of your - hardness of heart ; but (it) was not this way from (the) beginning.
Now I tell you that whoever ... divorces his - wife , except for sexual immorality , and marries another woman , commits adultery. ”
His - disciples said to Him , “ If this is the case between a man (and) (his) wife , it is better not to marry. ”
“ Not everyone can accept this - word , ” - - He replied ... , “ but only (those) to whom it has been given.
For there are eunuchs who vvv vvv vvv were born that way ; - - (others) - were made (that way) by - men ; and - (still others) - vvv live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The (one) who can accept (this) should accept (it). ”
Then (the) little children were brought to (Jesus) for Him to place - (His) hands on them and pray (for them). And the disciples rebuked those (who brought them).
But - Jesus said , “ Let the little children come to Me , and vvv do not hinder them ! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. ”
And after He had placed (His) hands on them , He went on from there.
Just then ... a man came up to (Jesus) (and) inquired , “ Teacher , what good (thing) must I do to obtain 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 , keep the commandments. ”
“ Which (ones) ? ” (the man) asked .... - - Jesus answered , - vvv “‘ Do not murder , vvv do not commit adultery , vvv do not steal , vvv do not bear false witness ,
honor (your) father and - mother , and love your - neighbor as yourself.’ ”
“ vvv All these I have kept , ” said the young man .... “ What vvv do I still lack ? ”
- Jesus told him , “ 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 in sorrow , because he had great wealth.
Then - Jesus said to His disciples , “ Truly I tell you , - it is hard for a rich man to enter ... the kingdom of heaven.
vvv Again I tell you , (it) is easier for a camel to pass 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. ”
“ Look , ” - - Peter - replied ... ... , “ we have left everything - to follow You. What then will there be for us ? ”
- - Jesus said to them , “ Truly I tell you , - in the renewal of all things , when the Son - of Man sits on His glorious throne , you who have followed Me - vvv 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 wife or children or fields for the sake of - My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
But many (who are) first will be last , and (the) last (will be) first. (’’)