Matthew 19

So, Jesus completed saying those things. Then, he {and his apprentices} left the region of Galilee. They traveled to the region of Judea on the other side of the Jordan River.

Large groups of people went with him, and in that place, he cured those {who were sick}. \*

Some Pharisees came to Jesus in order to investigate him. They asked, “Does our law allow a husband to divorce his wife whenever he wants to?”

Jesus replied, “You have read {in the Law that God gave Moses} that when God first created everything, he created people to be male and female. \*

Then God said, ‘That is why men{, when they marry,} no longer live with their parents and instead live with their wives. Each husband and wife together become like one person.’

Consequently, each husband and wife are not like two different people any longer. Rather, they are like one person. Since that is true, no one should divide people whom God has united.” \*

The Pharisees responded, “If that is true, why {did Moses instruct us in our law about how to divorce wives}? He required each husband to present his wife with a document that states that he is divorcing her. Then, he can divorce her.”

Jesus answered, “Moses knew that you were unwilling to obey. That is why {in the Law} he permitted you to divorce your wives. However, when God first created everything, that is not what he intended.

Now here is what I want to tell you: a man may divorce his wife only if she has had improper sex. When a man divorces his wife for any other reason and marries another woman, he disobeys what God commanded about being sexually faithful to one’s spouse. Further, any man who marries a woman whose husband has divorced her also disobeys what God commanded about being sexually faithful to one’s spouse.” \*

Jesus’ apprentices responded, “If that is the only basis on which a husband can divorce his wife, it is not beneficial to get married!”

Jesus replied, “Many people do not accept what you have said. Only people whom God enables {to accept it can do so}.

Here is what I mean: Some men are impotent because they were already like that when their mothers gave birth to them. Other men are impotent because people castrated them. Other men are impotent because they chose to live that way in order to serve in God’s heavenly kingdom. Anyone who can accept {what I am saying} should accept it.” \*

After that, some people took young children to Jesus. They wanted him to bless them by touching them and to pray {for them}. However, the apprentices told them to stop.

However, Jesus told {the apprentices}, “Allow the young children to come here. Do not stop them! {I say that because} they and people like them are part of God’s heavenly kingdom.”

{After saying that,} Jesus blessed the young children by touching them. Then, he left that place. \*

After that, a person came to Jesus! He asked, “Instructor, what is a good thing I can do so that I will live with God forever?”

Jesus replied, “You should not ask me about what would be a good {thing to do}. God is the only one who is good. Now {to answer your question}, since you desire to truly live, you should do what God has commanded.” \*

The man replied, “Which {things that God has commanded do you mean}?” Jesus answered him, “Here are the ones I mean: Do not murder others. Do not be sexually unfaithful to your spouse. Do not steal things. Do not say what is untrue.

Treat your parents respectfully. Care for people you know as much as you care for yourself.” \*

The young man replied, “I have done each of these things {that God commanded}. What more do I need to do {to truly live}?”

Jesus answered, “Since you desire to complete {doing what is good}, go {home} and sell what you own. Give {that money} to poor people. {If you do that,} God will reward you in heaven. Then, come with me as my apprentice.”

After the young man listened to what Jesus said, he felt very sad and left. {He was very sad} because he was rich {and did not want to lose what he owned}. \*

After that, Jesus told his apprentices, “It is hard for rich people to participate in God’s heavenly kingdom. What I have said is true.

I want you to understand that, so I will repeat it. Large animals like camels cannot fit into very small spaces. However, it is even harder for rich people to participate in God’s kingdom.” \*

What Jesus said greatly surprised the apprentices. They said, “So then, it must be that God does not actually rescue anyone!”

Jesus looked directly at his apprentices. He said, “People cannot rescue themselves. However, God can do anything!”

After {Jesus said} that, Peter replied, “We left behind everything we had and went with you as your apprentices! So then, how will God reward us?” \*

Jesus replied, “Someday God will renew everything that he has made, and I, the Son of Man, will sit down {to rule} from my great throne. When that happens, you too, since you have come with me as my apprentices, will sit down {to rule} from 12 thrones{, one for each of you}. You will decide whether people from the 12 Israelite clans are guilty or innocent. What I have said is true. \*

Some people leave behind houses, siblings, parents, wives, children, or fields. They do that because they want to be my apprentices. God will give those people many times {what they left behind}. Further, he will enable them to live with him forever.

{At that time,} many people who are important right now will become unimportant. Many people who are unimportant right now will become important. \*