6. So they are no longer two, but one. God has joined them together, so no one should separate them.”
7. The Pharisees asked, “Then why did Moses give a command allowing a man to divorce his wife by writing a certificate of divorce?”
8. Jesus answered, “Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because you refused to accept God’s teaching. But divorce was not allowed in the beginning.
9. I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for the problem of sexual sin, and marries another woman is guilty of adultery.”
10. The followers said to Jesus, “If that is the only reason a man can divorce his wife, it is better not to marry.”
11. He answered, “This statement is true for some, but not for everyone—only for those who have been given this gift.
12. There are different reasons why some men don’t marry. Some were born without the ability to produce children. Others were made that way later in life. And others have given up marriage because of God’s kingdom. This is for anyone who is able to accept it.”
13. Then the people brought their little children to Jesus so that he could lay his hands on them to bless them and pray for them. When the followers saw this, they told the people to stop bringing their children to him.
14. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people who are like these children.”
15. After Jesus blessed the children, he left there.
16. A man came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?”
17. Jesus answered, “Why do you ask me about what is good? Only God is good. But if you want to have eternal life, obey the law’s commands.”
18. The man asked, “Which ones?” Jesus answered, “‘You must not murder anyone, you must not commit adultery, you must not steal, you must not tell lies about others,
19. you must respect your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’”