Matthew

When Jesus finished these sayings, he left Galilee and reached the border of Judea across the Jordan River.

Large crowds gathered around him, and he healed their sick there as well.

Some Pharisees came to him. They aimed to test him and asked:

“Is a man allowed to divorce his wife for any reason he wants?”

Jesus replied:

“Have you not read that in the beginning, the Creator made them male and female?

And the Creator said: Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.

So, they are no longer two, but one body. Let no one separate what God has joined.”

They asked him:

“Then why did Moses command us to write a bill of dismissal in order to divorce?”

Jesus replied:

“Moses knew the hardness of your hearts, so he allowed you to divorce your wives, but it was not so in the beginning.

Therefore, I say to you: whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another, commits adultery.

The disciples said:

“If that is the condition of a married man, it is better not to marry.”

Jesus said to them:

“Not everyone can accept what you have just said, but only those to whom that is granted.

Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others. But some have given up the possibility of marriage, for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who can accept it, accept it.”

Then little children were brought to Jesus so that he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded those who brought them.

Jesus then said:

“Let the children be! Don’t hinder them from coming to me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are humble like these children.”

Jesus laid his hands on them and then went away.

That was when a young man approached him and asked:

“Master, what good work must I do to receive eternal life?”

Jesus answered:

“Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only One who is good. If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments.”

The young man asked:

“Which commandments?”

Jesus answered:

“Do not kill; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness;

honor your father and mother. And love your neighbor as yourself.”

The young man asked him:

“I have kept all these commandments. What do I still lack?”

Jesus answered:

“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell all that you possess and give the money to the poor; and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come back and follow me.”

Hearing this, the young man left feeling sad, for he was a man of great wealth.

Jesus told his disciples, “Truly I say to you: it will be difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Yes, believe me: it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Hearing this, the disciples were astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and replied:

“For human beings, it is impossible, but for God, all things are possible.”

Then Peter spoke up and said:

“You see, we have given up everything to follow you. What then will there be for us?”

Jesus answered:

“You who have followed me, listen to my words: on the Day of Renewal, when the Son of Man sits on his throne in glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

For those who have left houses, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, children, or property because of my name, they will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

Many who are now first will be last, and many who are now last will be first.”