Matthew 19
1 After Jesus had said that, he [took us] and left Galilee [district] and went to the part of Judea [district that is located] on the [east] side of the Jordan [River].
And it came to pass, when Jesus ended these words, he removed from Galilee and came into the bounds of Judaea beyond the Jordan.
2 Large crowds followed him there, and he healed [the sick among] them.
And there followed him large multitudes, and he cured them there.
3 [Some] Pharisees approached Jesus and said to him, “Does [our Jewish] law permit [a man] to divorce his wife for any reason whatever?” [They asked that] in order to be able to criticize Jesus, [whether he answered “Yes” or “No].”
And there came unto him Pharisees, testing him, and saying, —Whether is it allowed a man to divorce his wife, for every cause?
4 Jesus said [to them], “[Because] you have read [RHQ] [the Scriptures], [you should know] that at the time [God first] created [people], ‘he made [one] man, and he made [one] woman [to be that man’s wife].’
And, he, answering, said—Did ye never read—He who created at the beginning, Male and female, made them, —
5 That explains why [God said], ‘[When] a man [and woman marry], they should no longer live with their fathers and mothers. [Instead], the two of them shall live together, and they shall become [so closely united that they are like] one person [MET].’
and said—For this cause, will a man leave his father and his mother, and be united to his wife, —and, the two, will become, one flesh;
6 Consequently, [although they functioned as] two [separate people before], they now [become as if they were] one person [MET]. Since that is true, a man must not separate [from his wife] whom God has joined to him, [because it is God’s plan for them to remain together].”
So that, the longer, are they, two, but, one flesh, What, therefore, God, hath yoked together, Let not, a man, put asunder.
7 The Pharisees then said to him, “If that is true, why did Moses command that [a man who wanted to divorce] his wife should give her a paper [stating his reason for] divorcing her, and then send her away?”
They say unto him—Why then did, Moses, command, to give a writing of repudiation and to divorce?
8 He said to them, “It was because [your ancestors] stubbornly [wanted their own way] that Moses allowed them to divorce their wives, [and you are no different from them]. But when God first [MTY] created a man and a woman, [he did not intend for them to separate].
He saith unto them—Moses, in view of your hardness of heart, permitted you to divorce your wives; From the beginning however, hath it not been done, thus.
9 I am telling you emphatically that [because God considers that a marriage lasts until either the husband or the wife dies, he considers that] any man who divorces his wife and marries another woman is committing adultery, unless [his first wife] has committed adultery.”
And I say unto you—Whosoever shall divorce his wife, saving for unfaithfulness, and shall marry another, committeth adultery.
10 We disciples said to him, “If that is true, it is better for men never to marry!”
The disciples say unto him—If, so, is the cause of the husband with the wife, it is not expedient to marry.
11 Then he said to us, “Not every man is able to accept this teaching. Only the men whom [God] enables [to accept it are able to do so].
But, he, said unto them—Not all, find room for he word, save they to whom it hath been given;
12 There are men who [do not marry because they are not able to have sexual relations because they] have been sexually defective ever since they were born. There are other men [who do not marry because they are unable to have sexual relations] because they have been castrated {other men have made them that way}. There are other [men who decide not to marry] [MET] in order that they can serve God better [and spend more time telling people about how] God [MTY/EUP] wants to rule people’s lives. You who are able to understand [what I have said about marriage] should accept it [and obey it].”
For there, are, eunuchs, who, from their mother’s womb, were born so, and there, are, eunuchs, who were made eunuchs, by men, —and there, are, eunuchs, who have made, themselves, eunuchs, for the sake the kingdom of the heavens: He that is able to find room, let him find room.
13 Then [some] children were brought {[some people] brought their children} to Jesus in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray [for them]. But we disciples scolded the people [for bringing their children to Jesus because we thought that Jesus did not want to take the time to be with children].
Then, were brought unto him children, —that he might lay his hands upon them, and pray. And, the disciples, rebuked them.
14 But [when Jesus saw us scolding them], he said to us, “Let the children come to me! Do not stop them! It is people who are [humble and trusting] like they are, who can experience God’s rule [in their lives].”
But, Jesus, said—Suffer the children—and do not hinder them—to come unto me, —for, of such, is the kingdom of the heavens.
15 Jesus then laid his hands on the children [and asked God to bless them]. Then he left there.
And, laying his hands upon them, he went his way from thence.
16 [As Jesus was walking along, a young] man approached him and said [to him], “Teacher, what good [deeds] must I do in order to live [with God] eternally?” (aiōnios g166)
And lo! one coming near unto him, said, Teacher! what good thing shall I do, that I may have life age-abiding? (aiōnios g166)
17 Jesus said to him, “(Consider [what you are implying about who I am when] you ask me about what is good./Do you realize [what you are implying about who I am when] you ask me about that which is good?) [RHQ] Only one being is good and [really knows what is good. That being is God. But in order to answer your question] about [desiring to] live [with God eternally], I [will say to you], ‘Keep the commandments [that God gave Moses’].”
And, he, said unto him—Why dost thou question me concerning that which is good? There is, One, that is good! But, if thou desirest, into life, to enter, be keeping the commandments.
18 The man asked Jesus, “Which [commandments must I keep]?” Jesus answered [him], “Do not murder [anyone], do not commit adultery, do not steal things, do not testify falsely,
He saith unto him, Which? Jesus, said—These: Thou shalt not commit murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, —Thou shalt not bear false witness;
19 honor your father and your mother, and love people you come in contact with as [much as you love] yourself.”
Honour thy father and thy mother, —and—Thou shalt love thy neighbour as, thyself.
20 [Thinking that he might not be able to live with God eternally even though he had kept those commandments], the young man said to Jesus, “I have always obeyed all those commandments. What else must I do [in order to live with God eternally]?”
The young man saith unto him—These all, have I kept, —What, further, do I lack?
21 Jesus said to him, “If you desire to be all that God intends you to be, go [home], sell everything that you have and give [the money] to poor people. [The result will be that] you will have [spiritual] riches in heaven. Then come and be my disciple!”
Jesus said unto him—If thou desirest to be perfect, Withdraw! sell thy substance, and give to the destitute, —and thou shalt have treasure in the heavens; and come! be following me.
22 When the young man heard those words, he went away feeling sad, because he was very rich [and did not want to give away everything he owned].
And the young man, hearing, this word, went away sorrowing, —for he was holding large possessions.
23 Then Jesus said to [us] disciples, “Keep this in mind: It is very difficult for rich people [to decide] to let God [MTY/EUP] rule their [lives].
And, Jesus, said unto his disciples—Verily, I say unto you, A rich man, with difficulty, shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens.
24 Note this also: It is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. It is [almost] as difficult [HYP] for rich people [to decide] to let God rule their [lives].”
Again I say unto you—Easier, is it for, a camel, through the eye of a needle, to enter, than a rich man—into the kingdom of God.
25 When [we] disciples heard this, we were astounded. [We thought that rich people were the ones whom God blesses the most. So we said to him], “(If that is so, it does not seem likely that anyone will be saved!/Who then will God will save?)” [RHQ]
And, hearing it, the disciples were being struck with the greatest astonishment, saying—Who then can be saved?
26 [When Jesus heard us say that], he looked intently at us, and [then] he said to us, “[Yes], it is impossible for people [to save themselves]. But [God can save them, because] God is able to do [anything]!”
And, looking intently, Jesus said unto them—With men, this is, impossible, but, with God, all things are possible.
27 Then Peter said to him, “You know that we [(exc)] have left everything behind and we have become your disciples. So what benefit will we get [for doing that]?”
Then, making answer, Peter said unto him—Lo! we, have left all, and followed thee, —What then shall there be, for us?
28 Jesus said to us, “Keep this in mind: [You will get many benefits]. When [God] makes [the] new [earth] and when [I], the one who came from heaven, sit on my magnificent throne, those of you who have accompanied me will each sit on a throne, and you will judge [the people of] the twelve tribes of Israel.
And, Jesus, said unto them—Verily, I say unto you, As for you who followed me in the regeneration, When the Son of Man shall take his seat on his throne of glory, ye also, shall be seated upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 [God will reward] those who, because of being my [disciples], have left [behind] a house or plot of ground, [their] brothers, [their] sisters, their father, their mother, their children, [or any other family] [MTY] [members]. [God] will give them 100 times [as many benefits as they have given up]. And they will live [with God] eternally. (aiōnios g166)
And, whosoever left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for sake of my name, manifold, shall receive, and life, age-abiding, shall inherit. (aiōnios g166)
30 But many [people who consider themselves to] be important [now] will be unimportant [at that future time], and many [people who consider themselves to be] unimportant [now will be] important [at that future time].”
But many shall be—first-last, and last-first.
