CONCERNING DIVORCE.

And there came unto him Pharisees, trying him, and saying, “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?”

And he answered and said, “Have ye not read, that he who made them from the beginning made them, male and female, and 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?’ So that they are no more two, but one flesh.  What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”

They say unto him, “Why then did Moses command to give a bill of divorcement, and to put her away?”

He 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.  And 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.”

The disciples say unto him, “If the case of the man is so with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.”

But he said unto them, “Not all men can receive this saying, but they to whom it is given.  For 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.”

JESUS AND THE CHILDREN.

And they were bringing unto him little children, that he should touch them:  and the disciples rebuked them.  But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said unto them, “Suffer the little children to come unto me; forbid them not:  for to such belongeth the kingdom of God.  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein.”

And he took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.

THE RICH YOUNG RULER.

And behold, as he was going forth into the way, a certain ruler ran to him, and kneeled to him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

And he said unto him, “Why askest thou me concerning that which is good?  None is good, save one, even God:  but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments.”

He 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, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

The young ruler saith unto him, “All these things have I observed from my youth up; what lack I yet?”

And Jesus, looking upon him, loved him, and said unto him, “One thing thou lackest yet:  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.”