Matthew 19

1When Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and went into the region of Judea on the other side of the Jordan River.

2Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there.

3Some Pharisees came to test Him. They asked: Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?

4Jesus answered: Have you not read that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female,

5And said: For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?

6So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no one should separate.

7They asked Him: Then why did Moses command that a man give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?

8Jesus said to them: Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard, but it was not this way from the beginning.

9I tell you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual sin, and marries another woman commits adultery.

10His disciples said to Him: If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.

11Jesus said: Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it has been given.

12For some are unable to marry because they were born that way, others were made that way by other people, and others have chosen not to marry for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this should accept it.

13Then people brought little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them, but the disciples told them not to.

14Jesus said: Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like them.

15Jesus placed His hands on the children and then went on from there.

16Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked: Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?

17Jesus said to him: Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.

18The man asked: Which ones? Jesus said: Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,

19Honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.

20The young man said: I have kept all these. What do I still lack?

21Jesus answered: If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.

22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he owned a great deal of property.

23Then Jesus said to His disciples: I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.

24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.

25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly amazed and asked: Who then can be saved?

26Jesus looked at them and said: With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

27Then Peter said to Him: We have left everything to follow You. What will we have?

28Jesus said to them: I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29And everyone who has left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

30But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.