1. And rising up, he went from there into the area of Judea beyond the Jordan. And again, the crowd came together before him. And just as he was accustomed to do, again he taught them.
2. And approaching, the Pharisees questioned him, testing him: "Is it lawful for a man to dismiss his wife?"
3. But in response, he said to them, "What did Moses instruct you?"
4. And they said, "Moses gave permission to write a bill of divorce and to dismiss her."
5. But Jesus responded by saying: "It was due to the hardness of your heart that he wrote that precept for you.
6. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
7. Because of this, a man shall leave behind his father and mother, and he shall cling to his wife.
8. And these two shall be one in flesh. And so, they are now, not two, but one flesh.
9. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate."
10. And again, in the house, his disciples questioned him about the same thing.
11. And he said to them: "Whoever dismisses his wife, and marries another, commits adultery against her.
12. And if a wife dismisses her husband, and is married to another, she commits adultery."
13. And they brought to him the little children, so that he might touch them. But the disciples admonished those who brought them.
14. But when Jesus saw this, he took offense, and he said to them: "Allow the little ones to come to me, and do not prohibit them. For of such as these is the kingdom of God.
15. Amen I say to you, whoever will not accept the kingdom of God like a little child, will not enter into it."
16. And embracing them, and laying his hands upon them, he blessed them.
17. And when he had departed on the way, a certain one, running up and kneeling before him, asked him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do, so that I may secure eternal life?"