1 A nd it came to pass when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the borders of Judaea beyond the Jordan;

When Jesus had finished talking, He went from the country of Galilee. He came to the part of the country of Judea which is on the other side of the Jordan River.

2 a nd great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

Many people followed Him and He healed them there.

3 A nd there came unto him Pharisees, trying him, and saying, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

The proud religious law-keepers came to Jesus. They tried to trap Him by saying, “Does the Law say a man can divorce his wife for any reason?”

4 A nd he answered and said, Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female,

He said to them, “Have you not read that He Who made them in the first place made them man and woman?

5 a nd said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?

It says, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and his mother and will live with his wife. The two will become one.’

6 S o that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

So they are no longer two but one. Let no man divide what God has put together.”

7 T hey say unto him, Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?

The proud religious law-keepers said to Jesus, “Then why did the Law of Moses allow a man to divorce his wife if he put it down in writing and gave it to her?”

8 H e saith unto them, Moses for your hardness of heart suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it hath not been so.

Jesus said to them, “Because of your hard hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives. It was not like that from the beginning.

9 A nd I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery.

And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sex sins, and marries another, is guilty of sex sins in marriage. Whoever marries her that is divorced is guilty of sex sins in marriage.”

10 T he disciples say unto him, If the case of the man is so with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.

His followers said to Him, “If that is the way of a man with his wife, it is better not to be married.”

11 B ut he said unto them, Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given.

But Jesus said to them, “Not all men are able to do this, but only those to whom it has been given.

12 F or there are eunuchs, that were so born from their mother's womb: and there are eunuchs, that were made eunuchs by men: and there are eunuchs, that made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

For there are some men who from birth will never be able to have children. There are some men who have been made so by men. There are some men who have had themselves made that way because of the holy nation of heaven. The one who is able to do this, let him do it.” Jesus Gives Thanks for Little Children

13 T hen were there brought unto him little children, that he should lay his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray for them. The followers spoke sharp words to them.

14 B ut Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven.

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me. Do not stop them. The holy nation of heaven is made up of ones like these.”

15 A nd he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

He put His hands on them and went away. Jesus Teaches about Keeping the Law

16 A nd behold, one came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

A man came to Jesus and asked, “Good Teacher, what good work must I do to have life that lasts forever?”

17 A nd he said unto him, Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good: but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments.

Jesus said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One Who is good. If you want to have life that lasts forever, you must obey the Laws.”

18 H e saith unto him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

The man said to Him, “What kind of laws?” Jesus said, “You must not kill another person. You must not be guilty of sex sins. You must not steal. You must not lie.

19 H onor thy father and mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Show respect to your father and your mother. And love your neighbor as you love yourself.”

20 T he young man saith unto him, All these things have I observed: what lack I yet?

The young man said to Jesus, “I have obeyed all these Laws. What more should I do?”

21 J esus said unto him, If thou wouldest be perfect, go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell everything you have and give the money to poor people. Then you will have riches in heaven. Come and follow Me.”

22 B ut when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions.

When the young man heard these words, he went away sad for he had many riches. The Danger of Riches

23 A nd Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus said to His followers, “For sure, I tell you, it will be hard for a rich man to get into the holy nation of heaven.

24 A nd again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into the holy nation of heaven.”

25 A nd when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved?

When His followers heard this, they could not understand it. They said, “Then who can be saved from the punishment of sin?”

26 A nd Jesus looking upon them said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Jesus looked at them and said, “This cannot be done by men. But with God all things can be done.”

27 T hen answered Peter and said unto him, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee; what then shall we have?

Then Peter said to Him, “We have given up everything and have followed You. Then what will we have?”

28 A nd Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus said to them, “For sure, I tell you, when all the earth will be new and the Son of Man will sit on His throne in His shining-greatness, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, and judge the twelve family groups of the Jewish nation.

29 A nd every one that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life.

Everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands because of Me, will get a hundred times more. And you will get life that lasts forever.

30 B ut many shall be last that are first; and first that are last.

Many who are first will be last. Many who are last will be first.