Matthew, 19

1. And it came to pass, [that] when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

1. When Jesus had finished this teaching, he left Galilee and arrived at the border of Judea, on the other side of the Jordan River.

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

2. A great crowd was with him and there, too, he healed their sick.

3. The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

3. Some Pharisees approached him. They wanted to test him and asked, "Is a man allowed to divorce his wife for any reason he wants?"

4. And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made [them] at the beginning made them male and female,

4. Jesus replied, "Have you not read that in the beginning the Creator made them male and female,

5. And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

5. and he said: Man has now to leave father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one body?

6. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

6. So they are no longer two but one body; let no one separate what God has joined."

7. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

7. They asked him, "Then, why did Moses command us to write a bill of dismissal in order to divorce?"

8. He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

8. Jesus replied, "Moses knew your stubborn heart, so he allowed you to divorce your wives, but it was not so in the beginning.

9. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except [it be] for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

9. Therefore I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, unless it be for infidelity, and marries another, commits adultery."

10. His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with [his] wife, it is not good to marry.

10. The disciples said, "If that is the condition of a married man, it is better not to marry."

11. But he said unto them, All [men] cannot receive this saying, save [they] to whom it is given.

11. Jesus said to them, "Not everybody can accept what you have just said, but only those who have received this gift.

12. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from [their] mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive [it], let him receive [it].

12. Some are born incapable of marriage. Some have been made that way by others. But there are some who have given up the possibility of marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who can accept it, accept it."

13. Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put [his] hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

13. Then little children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them with a prayer. But the disciples scolded those who brought them.

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

14. Jesus then said, "Let them be! Do not stop the children from coming to me, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to people such as these."

15. And he laid [his] hands on them, and departed thence.

15. So Jesus laid his hands on them and went his way.

16. And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

16. It was then that a young man approached him and asked, "Master, what good work must I do to receive eternal life?"

17. And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

17. Jesus answered, "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Only one is Good. If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments."

18. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

18. The young man said, "Which commandments?" Jesus replied, "Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness,

19. Honour thy father and [thy] mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

19. honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself."

20. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

20. The young man said to him, "I have kept all these commandments, what is still lacking?"

21. Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me.

21. Jesus answered, "If you wish to be perfect, go and sell all that you possess and give the money to the poor and you will become the owner of a treasure in heaven. Then come back and follow me."

22. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

22. On hearing this answer, the young man went away sad for he was a man of great wealth.

23. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

23. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I say to you: it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.

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

24. Yes, believe me: it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven."

25. When his disciples heard [it], they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

25. On hearing this the disciples were astonished and said, "Who, then, can be saved?"

26. But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

26. Jesus looked steadily at them and answered, "For humans it is impossible, but for God all things are possible."

27. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

27. Then Peter spoke up and said, "You see we have given up everything to follow you: what will be our lot?"

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

28. Jesus answered, "You who have followed me, listen to my words: on the Day of Renewal, when the Son of Man sits on his throne in glory, you, too, will sit on twelve thrones to rule the twelve tribes of Israel.

29. And every one that hath forsaken houses, 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 inherit everlasting life.

29. As for those who have left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or property for my Name's sake, they will receive a hundredfold and be given eternal life.

30. But many [that are] first shall be last; and the last [shall be] first.

30. Many who are now first will be last, and many who are now last will be first.