16. Until John, there was only the Law and the Prophets. Since then, the good news of God’s kingdom is preached, and everyone is urged to enter it.
17. It’s easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for the smallest stroke of a pen in the Law to drop out.
18. Any man who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and a man who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.
19. “There was a certain rich man who clothed himself in purple and fine linen, and who feasted luxuriously every day.
20. At his gate lay a certain poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores.
21. Lazarus longed to eat the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Instead, dogs would come and lick his sores.
22. “The poor man died and was carried by angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
23. While being tormented in the place of the dead, he looked up and saw Abraham at a distance with Lazarus at his side.
24. He shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I’m suffering in this flame.’
25. But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received good things, whereas Lazarus received terrible things. Now Lazarus is being comforted and you are in great pain.