1. He arose and went from there to the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan, and the people came to Him again. And again, as was His custom, He taught them.
2. The Pharisees came to test Him, asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”
3. He answered them, “What did Moses command you?”
4. They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and to divorce her.”
5. Jesus answered them, “Due to the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.
6. But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’
7. ‘For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife,
8. and the two shall be one flesh.’ So then they are no longer two, but one flesh.
9. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.”
10. In the house His disciples asked Him concerning this matter again.
11. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.
12. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
13. They brought young children to Him, that He might touch them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14. But when Jesus saw it, He was very displeased and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to Me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of God.
15. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall not enter it.”
16. And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.
17. When He set out on His way, a man came running and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”