1. Then Jesus left that place. He went into the area of Judea and across the Jordan River. Again, crowds came to him. And Jesus taught them as he always did.
2. Some Pharisees came to Jesus and tried to trick him. They asked, “Is it right for a man to divorce his wife?”
3. Jesus answered, “What did Moses command you to do?”
4. They said, “Moses allowed a man to write out divorce papers and send her away.”
5. Jesus said, “Moses wrote that command for you because you refused to accept God’s teaching.
6. But when God made the world, ‘he made them male and female.’
7. ‘So a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife.
8. And the two people will become one body.’ So the people are not two, but one.
9. God has joined the two people together. So no one should separate them.”
10. Later, the followers and Jesus were in the house. They asked Jesus again about the question of divorce.
11. He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman is guilty of adultery against her.
12. And the woman who divorces her husband and marries another man is also guilty of adultery.”
13. Some people brought their small children to Jesus so he could touch them. But his followers told the people to stop bringing their children to him.
14. When Jesus saw this, he was displeased. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them. The kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these little children.
15. I tell you the truth. You must accept the kingdom of God as a little child accepts things, or you will never enter it.”
16. Then Jesus took the children in his arms. He put his hands on them and blessed them.
17. Jesus started to leave, but a man ran to him and fell on his knees before Jesus. The man asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to get the life that never ends?”