When Jesus had finished speaking, he left Galilee and went to Judea, which is on the other side of the Jordan river. Big crowds followed him, and he healed them. 
Pharisees came to test Jesus. “Is it illegal for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” 
Jesus answered, “Haven’t you read that the one who created them made them man and woman from the beginning, and said, ‘because of this, a man will leave his parents and be joined with his wife and the two will become one. So, they are no longer two bodies but one body. So, what God joined together, no person should separate.” 
The Pharisees replied, “Then why did Moses tell us to give a man a divorce certificate and send the wife away?” 
“Moses said you are allowed to divorce your wives because you have hard hearts, but this is not how it was at the start. I’m telling you now, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality reasons, and marries someone else is being unfaithful.” 
Jesus’ disciples asked, “If this is what marriage is, like isn’t it better to just not get married?” 
“Not everyone accepts this teaching,” Jesus replied. “But only those who have been given it. There are some single people who were born like this, and there are some single people who are made single by others, and there are single people who made themselves single for the sake of the heavenly kingdom. Whoever can accept it, let them accept it.” 
Children were brought to Jesus, so that he could put his hands on them and pray for them. But Jesus’ disciples told the people off for bringing the children. 
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. They are the type that belong in the heavenly kingdom.” 
He put his hands on them, and then left. 
A man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good things do I need to do to get eternal life?” 
“Why do you ask me what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only one who is good. If you want to go into life, obey the commandments.” 
“Which ones?” the man asked. 
“Don’t murder or commit adultery or steal or lie. Honour your mum and dad and love your neighbour as if they were yourself.” 
“I’ve done all these things. What am I missing?” 
“If you want to be perfect, go and sell everything you own and give the money to the poor. You will have treasures in heaven. Then you can come and follow me. 
“The young man didn’t like what he heard and went away sad because he owned a lot. 
Jesus said to his disciples, “I’m telling you, that rich guy will struggle to enter into the heavenly kingdom. I’ll tell you again, it’s easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle then a rich guy to get into God’s kingdom.” 
The disciples were amazed when they heard this. “Who can be saved then?” 
Jesus looked at them. “With men, it’s impossible. But with God, all things are possible.” 
“Look, we left everything to follow you,” Peter said. “What will we get?” 
“I’m honestly telling you, because you followed me, when you die and the Son of Man sits on the glorious throne, you will also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel. Everyone who has left houses or siblings or parents or spouses or children or land for my purposes will receive 100 times more and eternal life. Many who are currently first will be last, and currently last will be first.” 

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Continue exploring Matthew 19

If you’d like to read Matthew 19 in other translations, here are a few BibleHub links:
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, try Matthew 19 in the English Standard Version.
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, try Matthew 19 in the New International Version.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, try Matthew 19 in the Contemporary English Version.

If you prefer to read the Bible in a hard-copy format, here are cheaper versions from Amazon:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
For a translation that aims to be word-for-word, ESV Economy Bible
For a translation that aims to be more thought-for-thought, NIV, Economy Bible, Paperback: Accurate. Readable. Clear.
For a translation that aims to communicate the overall meaning, Holy Bible: Contemporary English Version

If you’d like to explore Matthew in more depth, here are some commentaries I would recommend:
[These are Amazon affiliate links which support the production of this blog]
Easy to access commentaries that include life applications:
The NIV Application Commentary: Matthew
Matthew (The Story of God Bible Commentary)
For a commentary that goes into more depth:
The Gospel of Matthew (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)