1. When Jesus had finished this teaching, he left Galilee and arrived at the border of Judea, on the other side of the Jordan River.

2. A great crowd was with him and there, too, he healed their sick.

3. Some Pharisees approached him. They wanted to test him and asked, "Is a man allowed to divorce his wife for any reason he wants?"

4. Jesus replied, "Have you not read that in the beginning the Creator made them male and female,

5. and he said: Man has now to leave father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one body?

6. So they are no longer two but one body; let no one separate what God has joined."

7. They asked him, "Then, why did Moses command us to write a bill of dismissal in order to divorce?"

8. Jesus replied, "Moses knew your stubborn heart, so he allowed you to divorce your wives, but it was not so in the beginning.

9. Therefore I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, unless it be for infidelity, and marries another, commits adultery."

10. The disciples said, "If that is the condition of a married man, it is better not to marry."

11. Jesus said to them, "Not everybody can accept what you have just said, but only those who have received this gift.

12. Some are born incapable of marriage. Some have been made that way by others. But there are some who have given up the possibility of marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who can accept it, accept it."

13. Then little children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them with a prayer. But the disciples scolded those who brought them.

14. Jesus then said, "Let them be! Do not stop the children from coming to me, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to people such as these."

15. So Jesus laid his hands on them and went his way.

16. It was then that a young man approached him and asked, "Master, what good work must I do to receive eternal life?"

17. Jesus answered, "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Only one is Good. If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments."

18. The young man said, "Which commandments?" Jesus replied, "Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness,

19. honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself."

20. The young man said to him, "I have kept all these commandments, what is still lacking?"

21. Jesus answered, "If you wish to be perfect, go and sell all that you possess and give the money to the poor and you will become the owner of a treasure in heaven. Then come back and follow me."

22. On hearing this answer, the young man went away sad for he was a man of great wealth.

23. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I say to you: it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.

24. Yes, believe me: it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven."

25. On hearing this the disciples were astonished and said, "Who, then, can be saved?"

26. Jesus looked steadily at them and answered, "For humans it is impossible, but for God all things are possible."

27. Then Peter spoke up and said, "You see we have given up everything to follow you: what will be our lot?"

28. Jesus answered, "You who have followed me, listen to my words: on the Day of Renewal, when the Son of Man sits on his throne in glory, you, too, will sit on twelve thrones to rule the twelve tribes of Israel.

29. As for those who have left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or property for my Name's sake, they will receive a hundredfold and be given eternal life.

30. Many who are now first will be last, and many who are now last will be first.





“Viva feliz. Sirva ao Senhor alegremente e com o espírito despreocupado.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina