¶ And it followed when Iesus had finished those sayings, he gat him from Galilee, and came in to the coasts off jewry beyond Iordan, and much people followed him, and he healed them there.
¶ Then came unto him the pharises to tempt him, and said to him: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for all manner of causes? He answered, and said unto them: Have ye not read, how that he which made man at the beginning, made them man and woman? and said: for this thing, shall a man leave father and mother, and cleave unto his wife, and they twain shall be one flesh. Wherefore now are they not twain, but one flesh. Let not man therefore put asunder, that which God hath coupled to gydder. Then said they to him: why did Moses command to give unto her a testimonial of divorcement, and to put her away? He said unto them: Moses be cause of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: But from the beginning it was not so. I say therefore unto you, whosoever putteth away his wife (except it be for fornication) and marrieth another, breaketh wedlock. And whosoever marrieth her which is divorced, doth commit advoutry.
¶ Then spake his disciples to him: if the matter be so between man and wife, then is it not good to marry. He said unto them: all men cannot away with that saying but they to whom it is given. There are chaste, which were so born out of their mother's belly. And there are chaste, which be made chaste of men. And there be chaste, which have made themselves chaste for the kingdom of heavens' sake. He that can take it let him take it.
¶ Then were brought to him young children, that he should put his hands on them and pray. And his disciples rebuked them. Iesus said unto them: suffer the children, and forbid them not to come to me, for unto such belongeth the kingdom of heaven. And when he had put his hands on them, he departed thence.
¶ And behold one came, and said unto him: good master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? He said unto him: why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, and that is God. But and thou wilt enter in to life, keep the commandments. He said: Which? And Iesus said: thou shalt not kill: thou shalt not break wedlock. Thou shall not steal: thou shalt not bear false witness: honour father and mother: and thou shalt love thine neighbor as thyself. The young man said unto him: I have observed all these things from my youth, what have I more to do? Iesus said unto him: if thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come and follow me: When the young man heard that saying, he went away mourning. For he had great possessions.
¶ Iesus said then unto his disciples: Verily I say unto you, a rich man shall with difficulty enter into the kingdom of heaven. And moreover I say unto you: it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, then for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of Heaven. When his disciples heard that, they were exceedingly amazed, saying: who then can be saved? Iesus beheld them, and said unto them: with men this is unpossible, but with God all things are possible.
¶ Then answered Peter, and said to him: Behold we have forsaken all, and have followed thee: what shall we have therefore? Iesus said unto them: verily I say unto you, that ye, which have followed me in the second generation (when the son of man shall sit in the seat of his majesty) shall sit also upon xij. seats, and judge the xij. tribes of Israhel. And whosoever forsaketh house, or brethren, or sisters, other father, or mother, or wife, or children, or livelihood, for my name's sake, the same shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life. Many that are first, shall be last and the last, shall be first.
© Faith of God
William Tyndale 1525