Jesus' Teaching about Divorce

(Mark 10:1-12)

1AND it came to pass when Jesus had ended these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judea, beyond Jordan. 2And great multitudes followed him: and he healed them there.

3And there came to him the Pharisees tempting him, and saying: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4Who answering, said to them: Have ye not read, that he who made man from the beginning, Made them male and female? And he said: 5For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall be in one flesh. 6Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. 7They say to him: Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorce, and to put away? 8He saith to them: Because Moses by reason of the hardness of your heart permitted you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9And I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery.

10His disciples say unto him: If the case of a man with his wife be so, it is not expedient to marry. 11Who said to them: All men take not this word, but they to whom it is given. 12For there are eunuchs, who were born so from their mother's womb: and there are eunuchs, who were made so by men: and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take, let him take it.

Jesus Blesses the Children

(Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17)

13Then were little children presented to him, that he should impose hands upon them and pray. And the disciples rebuked them. 14But Jesus said to them: Suffer the little children, and forbid them not to come to me: for the kingdom of heaven is for such. 15And when he had imposed hands upon them, he departed from thence.

The Rich Young Man

(Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30)

16And behold one came and said to him: Good master, what good shall I do that I may have life everlasting? 17Who said to him: Why asketh thou me concerning good? One is good, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18He said to him: Which? And Jesus said: Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness. 19Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 20The young man saith to him: All these I have kept from my youth, what is yet wanting to me? 21Jesus saith to him: If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come follow me. 22And when the young man had heard this word, he went away sad: for he had great possessions.

23Then Jesus said to his disciples: Amen, I say to you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24And again I say to you: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. 25And when they had heard this, the disciples wondered very much, saying: Who then can be saved? 26And Jesus beholding, said to them: With men this is impossible: but with God all things are possible.

27Then Peter answering, said to him: Behold we have left all things, and have followed thee: what therefore shall we have? 28And Jesus said to them: Amen, I say to you, that you, who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the seat of his majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting. 30And many that are first, shall be last: and the last shall be first.