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¹ When Jesus had finished these discourses, he departed from Galilee, and came into the confines of Judea, on the other side Jordan: ² where multitudes of people followed him, and he healed their sick.

³ The Pharisees likewise came to him, and maliciously propos'd this question, may a man lawfully put away his wife at discretion? ⁴ and he answered them, have ye not read, that when the creator, at the beginning, made male and female, ⁵ he said, "for this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and be attach'd to his wife: and they two shall be one flesh?" ⁶ so that they are not now two, but one. what therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. ⁷ why then, said they, did Moses permit to give a writ of divorce to repudiate the wife? ⁸ he answer'd them, 'twas because of your perverse temper that Moses suffered you to repudiate your wives: but from the beginning this was not in practice. ⁹ and I tell you, that whoever shall put away his wife, except it be for adultery, and shall marry another, he committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her that is put away, causeth her to commit adultery. ¹⁰ thereupon his disciples said, if the case between man and wife be such, it is best not to marry. ¹¹ but he reply'd, 'tis not everyman can live single, but only such as have the gift of continency. ¹² as there are some eunuchs, who were such from their very birth: and others who were made such by men: so there are some who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of religion. he that can bear the state of celibacy, let him bear it.

¹³ Then they brought children to him in order to have his blessing: and the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ but Jesus said, let the children alone, and don't hinder them from coming to me: for of such does the gospel-kingdom consist. ¹⁵ and he laid his hands upon them, and departed thence.

¹⁶ Immediately one came near him, saying, good master, what good shall I do, to obtain eternal life? ¹⁷ and he said to him, why do you stile me good? there is but one that is good, that is God. but if you would enter into life, keep the commandments. ¹⁸ he reply'd, which? Jesus said, "thou shalt do no murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, ¹⁹ honour thy father and thy mother: and, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." ²⁰ the young man answer'd, all these things have I practis'd from my youth: what is it that is further required? ²¹ Jesus said, if thou wilt be perfect, go sell your estate, give the value to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: then come and follow me. ²² but when the young man heard that, he went away dejected: for he had great possessions.

²³ then said Jesus to his disciples, I declare unto you, it will be difficult for a rich man to enter into the gospel kingdom. ²⁴ I tell you again, it is easier for a cable to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the divine kingdom. ²⁵ when his disciples heard this, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, who then can be saved? ²⁶ but Jesus looking at them, said, however impracticable this is to men, all things are possible to God. ²⁷ Then said Peter, but we, who have left every thing to follow thee; what advantage shall we get by it? ²⁸ Jesus reply'd, I declare unto you, that in the new age, when the son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye that have followed me shall likewise sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ²⁹ and every one that abandons his family, his brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my sake, shall receive in that age an hundred times the value, and shall inherit hereafter everlasting life. ³⁰ but many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.