And He rose from thence, and went into the region of Judea by the farther side of the Jordan. And the people resorted unto Him again; and as He was wont, He taught them again.

And the Pharisees came to Him and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?” — testing Him.

And He answered and said unto them, “What did Moses command you?”

And they said, “Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.”

And Jesus answered and said unto them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.

But from the beginning of the creation, ’God made them male and female.

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife,

and the two shall be one flesh.’ So then they are no more two, but one flesh.

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”

And in the house His disciples asked Him again about the same matter.

And He said unto them, “Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

And if a woman shall put away her husband and be married to another, she committeth adultery.”

And they brought young children to Him, that He should touch them; and His disciples rebuked those who brought them.

But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased and said unto them, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.”

And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.

And when He had gone forth onto the road, there came one running, and knelt before Him and asked Him, “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

And Jesus said unto him, “Why callest thou Me good? There is none good but One, that is, God.

Thou knowest the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, defraud not, honor thy father and mother.’”

And he answered and said unto Him, “Master, all these have I observed from my youth.”

Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him and said unto him, “One thing thou lackest: Go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

And he was sad at that saying and went away grieved, for he had great possessions.

And Jesus looked round about and said unto His disciples, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the Kingdom of God!”

And the disciples were astonished at His words, but Jesus answered again and said unto them, “Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.”

And they were astonished beyond measure, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?”

And Jesus, looking upon them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

Then Peter began to say unto Him, “Lo, we have left all and have followed Thee.”

And Jesus answered and said, “Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for My sake and the Gospel’s,

but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the world to come, eternal life.

But many that are first shall be last, and the last first.”

And they were on the way going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went before them; and they were amazed, and as they followed, they were afraid. And He took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things would happen unto Him,

saying, “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man shall be delivered unto the chief priests and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles.

And they shall mock Him and shall scourge Him, and shall spit upon Him and shall kill Him. And the third day He shall rise again.”

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came unto Him, saying, “Master, we would that Thou should do for us whatsoever we shall desire.”

And He said unto them, “What would ye that I should do for you?”

They said unto Him, “Grant unto us that we may sit, one on Thy right hand and the other on Thy left hand, in Thy glory.”

But Jesus said unto them, “Ye know not what ye ask. Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

And they said unto Him, “We can.” And Jesus said unto them, “Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized with, also shall ye be baptized.

But to sit on My right hand and on My left hand is not Mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.”

And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.

But Jesus called them to Him and said unto them, “Ye know that they that are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you shall be your minister,

and whosoever of you would be the chiefest shall be servant of all.

For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

And they came to Jericho. And as He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the wayside begging.

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me!”

And many charged him that he should hold his peace; but he cried out all the more, “Thou Son of David, have mercy on me!”

And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they called the blind man, saying unto him, “Be of good comfort; rise; He calleth thee.”

And he, casting away his garment, rose and came to Jesus.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, “What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?” The blind man said unto Him, “Lord, that I might receive my sight.”

And Jesus said unto him, “Go thy way. Thy faith hath made thee whole.” And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

And he arose from thence, and cometh into the borders of Judaea and beyond the Jordan: and multitudes come together unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.

And there came unto him Pharisees, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? trying him.

And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

But Jesus said unto them, For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.

But from the beginning of the creation, Male and female made he them.

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife;

and the two shall become one flesh: so that they are no more two, but one flesh.

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

And in the house the disciples asked him again of this matter.

And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her:

and if she herself shall put away her husband, and marry another, she committeth adultery.

And they were bringing unto him little children, that he should touch them: and the disciples rebuked them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me; forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein.

And he took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.

And as he was going forth into the way, there ran one to him, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good save one, even God.

Thou knowest the commandments, Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor thy father and mother.

And he said unto him, Teacher, all these things have I observed from my youth.

And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

But his countenance fell at the saying, and he went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions.

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

And they were astonished exceedingly, saying unto him, Then who can be saved?

Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for all things are possible with God.

Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for the gospel’s sake,

but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

And they were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going before them: and they were amazed; and they that followed were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them the things that were to happen unto him,

saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests and the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him unto the Gentiles:

and they shall mock him, and shall spit upon him, and shall scourge him, and shall kill him; and after three days he shall rise again.

And there come near unto him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying unto him, Teacher, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall ask of thee.

And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

And they said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left hand, in thy glory.

But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I drink? or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

And they said unto him, We are able. And Jesus said unto them, The cup that I drink ye shall drink; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:

but to sit on my right hand or on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for them for whom it hath been prepared.

And when the ten heard it, they began to be moved with indignation concerning James and John.

And Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they who are accounted to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great ones exercise authority over them.

But it is not so among you: but whosoever would become great among you, shall be your minister;

and whosoever would be first among you, shall be servant of all.

For the Son of man also came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

And they come to Jericho: and as he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the way side.

And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

And many rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

And Jesus stood still, and said, Call ye him. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good cheer: rise, he calleth thee.

And he, casting away his garment, sprang up, and came to Jesus.

And Jesus answered him, and said, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And the blind man said unto him, Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.

And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And straightway he received his sight, and followed him in the way.

Getting up, He left there (Capernaum) and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan; and crowds gathered around Him again and accompanied Him, and as was His custom, He once more began to teach them.

Pharisees came to Jesus to test Him [intending to trick Him into saying something wrong], and asked Him, “Is it lawful [according to Scripture] for a man to divorce his wife and send her away?”

He replied to them, “What did Moses command you?”

They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.”

But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of hearts [your callousness and insensitivity toward your wives and the provision of God] he wrote you this precept.

But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female.

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother [to establish a home with his wife],

and the two shall become one flesh; so that they are no longer two, but [are united as] one flesh.

Therefore, what God has united and joined together, man must not separate [by divorce].”

In the house the disciples began questioning Him again about this.

And He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her;

and if a woman divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

People were bringing children to Him so that He would touch and bless them, but the disciples reprimanded them and discouraged them [from coming].

But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and He said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever does not receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

And He took the children [one by one] in His arms and blessed them [with kind, encouraging words], placing His hands on them.

As He was leaving on His journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him and asked Him, “Good Teacher [You who are essentially good and morally perfect], what shall I do to inherit eternal life [that is, eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?”

Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is [essentially] good [by nature] except God alone.

You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not testify falsely, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’”

And he replied to Him, “Teacher, I have [carefully] kept all these [commandments] since my youth.”

Looking at him, Jesus felt a love (high regard, compassion) for him, and He said to him, “You lack one thing: go and sell all your property and give [the money] to the poor, and you will have [abundant] treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me [becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk].”

But the man was saddened at Jesus’ words, and he left grieving, because he owned much property and had many possessions [which he treasured more than his relationship with God].

Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who are wealthy [and cling to possessions and status as security] to enter the kingdom of God!”

The disciples were amazed and bewildered by His words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is [for those who place their hope and confidence in riches] to enter the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man [who places his faith in wealth or status] to enter the kingdom of God.”

They were completely and utterly astonished, and said to Him, “Then who can be saved [from the wrath of God]?”

Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”

Peter started saying to Him, “Look, we have given up everything and followed You [becoming Your disciples and accepting You as Teacher and Lord].”

Jesus said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, there is no one who has given up a house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake,

who will not receive a hundred times as much now in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms—along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.

But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.”

Now they were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were perplexed [at what Jesus had said], and those who were following were alarmed and afraid. And again He took the twelve [disciples] aside and began telling them what was going to happen to Him,

saying, “Listen very carefully: we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed and handed over to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and hand Him over to the Gentiles (Romans).

They will mock and ridicule Him and spit on Him, and whip (scourge) Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise [from the dead].”

James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”

And He replied to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

They said to Him, “Grant that we may sit [with You], one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory [Your majesty and splendor in Your kingdom].”

But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism [of suffering and death] with which I am baptized?”

And they replied to Him, “We are able.” Jesus told them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.

But to sit on My right or left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared [by My Father].”

Hearing this, the [other] ten became indignant with James and John.

Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their powerful men exercise authority over them [tyrannizing them].

But this is not how it is among you; instead, whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant,

and whoever wishes to be first and most important among you must be slave of all.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting beside the road [as was his custom].

When Bartimaeus heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and say, “Jesus, Son of David (Messiah), have mercy on me!”

Many sternly rebuked him, telling him to keep still and be quiet; but he kept on shouting out all the more, “Son of David (Messiah), have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, telling him, “Take courage, get up! He is calling for you.”

Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped up and came to Jesus.

And Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni (my Master), let me regain my sight.”

Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith [and confident trust in My power] has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Jesus on the road.

And [Jesus] left there [Capernaum] and went to the region of Judea and beyond [east of] the Jordan; and crowds [constantly] gathered around Him again, and as was His custom, He began to teach them again.

And some Pharisees came up, and, in order to test Him and try to find a weakness in Him, asked, Is it lawful for a man to dismiss and repudiate and divorce his wife?

He answered them, What did Moses command you?

They replied, Moses allowed a man to write a bill of divorce and to put her away.

But Jesus said to them, Because of your hardness of heart [your condition of insensibility to the call of God] he wrote you this precept in your Law.

But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female.

For this reason a man shall leave [behind] his father and his mother and be joined to his wife and cleave closely to her permanently,

And the two shall become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh.

What therefore God has united (joined together), let not man separate or divide.

And indoors the disciples questioned Him again about this subject.

And He said to them, Whoever dismisses (repudiates and divorces) his wife and marries another commits adultery against her;

And if a woman dismisses (repudiates and divorces) her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.

And they kept bringing young children to Him that He might touch them, and the disciples were reproving them [for it].

But when Jesus saw [it], He was indignant and pained and said to them, Allow the children to come to Me—do not forbid or prevent or hinder them—for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive and accept and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] positively shall not enter it at all.

And He took them [the children up one by one] in His arms and [fervently invoked a] blessing, placing His hands upon them.

And as He was setting out on His journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him and asked Him, Teacher, [You are essentially and perfectly morally] good, what must I do to inherit eternal life [that is, to partake of eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?

And Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me [essentially and perfectly morally] good? There is no one [essentially and perfectly morally] good—except God alone.

You know the commandments: Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.

And he replied to Him, Teacher, I have carefully guarded and observed all these and taken care not to violate them from my boyhood.

And Jesus, looking upon him, loved him, and He said to him, You lack one thing; go and sell all you have and give [the money] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come [and] accompany Me [walking the same road that I walk].

At that saying the man’s countenance fell and was gloomy, and he went away grieved and sorrowing, for he was holding great possessions.

And Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, With what difficulty will those who possess wealth and keep on holding it enter the kingdom of God!

And the disciples were amazed and bewildered and perplexed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, Children, how hard it is for those who trust (place their confidence, their sense of safety) in riches to enter the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

And they were shocked and exceedingly astonished, and said to Him and to one another, Then who can be saved?

Jesus glanced around at them and said, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.

Peter started to say to Him, Behold, we have yielded up and abandoned everything [once and for all and joined You as Your disciples, siding with Your party] and accompanied You [walking the same road that You walk].

Jesus said, Truly I tell you, there is no one who has given up and left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for My sake and for the Gospel’s

Who will not receive a hundred times as much now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.

But many [who are now] first will be last [then], and many [who are now] last will be first [then].

They were on the way going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on in front of them; and they were bewildered and perplexed and greatly astonished, and those [who were still] following were seized with alarm and were afraid. And He took the Twelve [apostles] again and began to tell them what was about to happen to Him,

[Saying], Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be turned over to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn and sentence Him to death and turn Him over to the Gentiles.

And they will mock Him and spit on Him, and whip Him and put Him to death; but after three days He will rise again [from death].

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached Him and said to Him, Teacher, we desire You to do for us whatever we ask of You.

And He replied to them, What do you desire Me to do for you?

And they said to Him, Grant that we may sit, one at Your right hand and one at [Your] left hand, in Your glory (Your majesty and splendor).

But Jesus said to them, You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism [of affliction] with which I am baptized?

And they replied to Him, We are able. And Jesus told them, The cup that I drink you will drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized,

But to sit at My right hand or at My left hand is not Mine to give; but [it will be given to those] for whom it is ordained and prepared.

And when the other ten [apostles] heard it, they began to be indignant with James and John.

But Jesus called them to [Him] and said to them, You know that those who are recognized as governing and are supposed to rule the Gentiles (the nations) lord it over them [ruling with absolute power, holding them in subjection], and their great men exercise authority and dominion over them.

But this is not to be so among you; instead, whoever desires to be great among you must be your servant,

And whoever wishes to be most important and first in rank among you must be slave of all.

For even the Son of Man came not to have service rendered to Him, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for (instead of) many.

Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, a son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside.

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, saying, Jesus, Son of David, have pity and mercy on me [now]!

And many severely censured and reproved him, telling him to keep still, but he kept on shouting out all the more, You Son of David, have pity and mercy on me [now]!

And Jesus stopped and said, Call him. And they called the blind man, telling him, Take courage! Get up! He is calling you.

And throwing off his outer garment, he leaped up and came to Jesus.

And Jesus said to him, What do you want Me to do for you? And the blind man said to Him, Master, let me receive my sight.

And Jesus said to him, Go your way; your faith has healed you. And at once he received his sight and accompanied Jesus on the road.

And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.

And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.

And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.

But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.

And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,

But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,

Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:

And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:

But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.

But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

He set out from there and went to the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Then crowds converged on him again, and as was his custom he taught them again.

Some Pharisees came to test him, asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

He replied to them, “What did Moses command you?”

They said, “Moses permitted us to write divorce papers and send her away.”

But Jesus told them, “He wrote this command for you because of the hardness of your hearts.

But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female.

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother

and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

When they were in the house again, the disciples questioned him about this matter.

He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.

Also, if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.

When Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

After taking them in his arms, he laid his hands on them and blessed them.

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone.

You know the commandments: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not defraud; honor your father and mother.”

He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.”

Looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

But he was dismayed by this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

The disciples were astonished at his words. Again Jesus said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

They were even more astonished, saying to one another, “Then who can be saved?”

Looking at them, Jesus said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.”

Peter began to tell him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said, “there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel,

who will not receive a hundred times more, now at this time —houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions —and eternal life in the age to come.

But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. The disciples were astonished, but those who followed him were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them the things that would happen to him.

“See, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death. Then they will hand him over to the Gentiles,

and they will mock him, spit on him, flog him, and kill him, and he will rise after three days.”

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached him and said, “Teacher, we want you to do whatever we ask you.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked them.

They answered him, “Allow us to sit at your right and at your left in your glory.”

Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup I drink or to be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

“We are able,” they told him. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with.

But to sit at my right or left is not mine to give; instead, it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

When the ten disciples heard this, they began to be indignant with James and John.

Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them.

But it is not so among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant,

and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave to all.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

They came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting by the road.

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Many warned him to keep quiet, but he was crying out all the more, “Have mercy on me, Son of David!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man and said to him, “Have courage! Get up; he’s calling for you.”

He threw off his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

Then Jesus answered him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Rabboni,” the blind man said to him, “I want to see.”

Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has saved you.” Immediately he could see and began to follow Jesus on the road.

Jesus left that place and went beyond the Jordan and into the region of Judea. Crowds gathered around him again and, as usual, he taught them.

Some Pharisees came and, trying to test him, they asked, “Does the Law allow a man to divorce his wife?”

Jesus answered, “What did Moses command you?”

They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a divorce certificate and to divorce his wife.”

Jesus said to them, “He wrote this commandment for you because of your unyielding hearts.

At the beginning of creation, God made them male and female .

and the two will be one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh.

Therefore, humans must not pull apart what God has put together.”

Inside the house, the disciples asked him again about this.

He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her;

and if a wife divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

People were bringing children to Jesus so that he would bless them. But the disciples scolded them.

When Jesus saw this, he grew angry and said to them, “Allow the children to come to me. Don’t forbid them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people like these children.

I assure you that whoever doesn’t welcome God’s kingdom like a child will never enter it.”

Then he hugged the children and blessed them.

As Jesus continued down the road, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to obtain eternal life?”

Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except the one God.

You know the commandments: Don’t commit murder. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t give false testimony . Don’t cheat. Honor your father and mother.”

“Teacher,” he responded, “I’ve kept all of these things since I was a boy.”

Jesus looked at him carefully and loved him. He said, “You are lacking one thing. Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.”

But the man was dismayed at this statement and went away saddened, because he had many possessions.

Looking around, Jesus said to his disciples, “It will be very hard for the wealthy to enter God’s kingdom!”

His words startled the disciples, so Jesus told them again, “Children, it’s difficult to enter God’s kingdom!

It’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”

They were shocked even more and said to each other, “Then who can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them carefully and said, “It’s impossible with human beings, but not with God. All things are possible for God.”

Peter said to him, “Look, we’ve left everything and followed you.”

Jesus said, “I assure you that anyone who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or farms because of me and because of the good news

will receive one hundred times as much now in this life—houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and farms (with harassment)—and in the coming age, eternal life.

But many who are first will be last. And many who are last will be first.”

Jesus and his disciples were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, with Jesus in the lead. The disciples were amazed while the others following behind were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he told them what was about to happen to him.

“Look!” he said. “We’re going up to Jerusalem. The Human One will be handed over to the chief priests and the legal experts. They will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles.

They will ridicule him, spit on him, torture him, and kill him. After three days, he will rise up.”

James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

They said, “Allow one of us to sit on your right and the other on your left when you enter your glory.”

Jesus replied, “You don’t know what you’re asking! Can you drink the cup I drink or receive the baptism I receive?”

“We can,” they answered. Jesus said, “You will drink the cup I drink and receive the baptism I receive,

but to sit at my right or left hand isn’t mine to give. It belongs to those for whom it has been prepared.”

Now when the other ten disciples heard about this, they became angry with James and John.

Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the ones who are considered the rulers by the Gentiles show off their authority over them and their high-ranking officials order them around.

But that’s not the way it will be with you. Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant.

Whoever wants to be first among you will be the slave of all,

for the Human One didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people.”

Jesus and his followers came into Jericho. As Jesus was leaving Jericho, together with his disciples and a sizable crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, Timaeus’ son, was sitting beside the road.

When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was there, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, show me mercy!”

Many scolded him, telling him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder, “Son of David, show me mercy!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him forward.” They called the blind man, “Be encouraged! Get up! He’s calling you.”

Throwing his coat to the side, he jumped up and came to Jesus.

Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see.”

Jesus said, “Go, your faith has healed you.” At once he was able to see, and he began to follow Jesus on the way.

Then Yeshua left that place and went into the regions of Y’hudah and the territory beyond the Yarden. Again crowds gathered around him; and again, as usual, he taught them.

Some P’rushim came up and tried to trap him by asking him, “Does the Torah permit a man to divorce his wife?”

He replied, “What did Moshe command you?”

They said, “Moshe allowed a man to hand his wife a get and divorce her.”

But Yeshua said to them, “He wrote this commandment for you because of your hardheartedness.

However, at the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.

and the two are to become one flesh. Thus they are no longer two, but one.

So then, no one should break apart what God has joined together.”

When they were indoors once more, the talmidim asked him about this.

He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against his wife;

and if a wife divorces her husband and marries another man, she too commits adultery.”

People were bringing children to him so that he might touch them, but the talmidim rebuked those people.

However, when Yeshua saw it, he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me, don’t stop them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Yes! I tell you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it!”

And he took them in his arms, laid his hands on them, and made a b’rakhah over them.

As he was starting on his way, a man ran up, kneeled down in front of him and asked, “Good rabbi, what should I do to obtain eternal life?”

Yeshua said to him, “Why are you calling me good? No one is good except God!

You know the mitzvot — ‘Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t give false testimony, don’t defraud, honor your father and mother, . . .’”

“Rabbi,” he said, “I have kept all these since I was a boy.”

Yeshua, looking at him, felt love for him and said to him, “You’re missing one thing. Go, sell whatever you own, give to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me!”

Shocked by this word, he went away sad; because he was a wealthy man.

Yeshua looked around and said to his talmidim, “How hard it is going to be for people with wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!”

The talmidim were astounded at these words; but Yeshua said to them again, “My friends, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God!

It’s easier for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”

They were utterly amazed and said to him, “Then who can be saved?”

Yeshua looked at them and said, “Humanly, it is impossible, but not with God; with God, everything is possible.”

Kefa began saying to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”

Yeshua said, “Yes! I tell you that there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the Good News,

who will not receive a hundred times over, now, in the ‘olam hazeh, homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and lands — with persecutions! — and in the ‘olam haba, eternal life.

But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first!”

They were on the road going up to Yerushalayim. Yeshua was walking ahead of them, and they were amazed — and those following were afraid. So again taking the Twelve along with him, he began telling them what was about to happen to him.

“We are now going up to Yerushalayim, where the Son of Man will be handed over to the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers. They will sentence him to death and turn him over to the Goyim,

who will jeer at him, spit on him, beat him and kill him; but after three days, he will rise.”

Ya‘akov and Yochanan, the sons of Zavdai, came up to him and said, “Rabbi, we would like you to do us a favor.”

He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”

They replied, “When you are in your glory, let us sit with you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

But Yeshua answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking! Can you drink the cup that I am drinking? or be immersed with the immersion that I must undergo?”

They said to him, “We can.” Yeshua replied, “The cup that I am drinking, you will drink; and the immersion I am being immersed with, you will undergo.

But to sit on my right and on my left is not mine to give. Rather, it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

When the other ten heard about this, they became outraged at Ya‘akov and Yochanan.

But Yeshua called them to him and said to them, “You know that among the Goyim, those who are supposed to rule them become tyrants, and their superiors become dictators.

But among you, it must not be like that! On the contrary, whoever among you wants to be a leader must be your servant;

and whoever wants to be first among you must become everyone’s slave!

For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve — and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

They came to Yericho; and as Yeshua was leaving Yericho with his talmidim and a great crowd, a blind beggar, Bar-Timai (son of Timai), was sitting by the side of the road.

When he heard that it was Yeshua from Natzeret, he started shouting, “Yeshua! Son of David! Have pity on me!”

Many people scolded him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the louder, “Son of David! Have pity on me!”

Yeshua stopped and said, “Call him over!” They called to the blind man, “Courage! Get up! He’s calling for you!”

Throwing down his blanket, he jumped up and came over to Yeshua.

“What do you want me to do for you?” asked Yeshua. The blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me be able to see again.”

Yeshua said to him, “Go! Your trust has healed you.” Instantly he received his sight and followed him on the road.

After Jesus left, he went to Judea and then on to the other side of the Jordan River. Once again large crowds came to him, and as usual, he taught them.

Some Pharisees wanted to test Jesus. So they came up to him and asked if it was right for a man to divorce his wife.

Jesus asked them, “What does the Law of Moses say about this?”

They answered, “Moses allows a man to write out divorce papers and send his wife away.”

Jesus replied, “Moses gave you this law because you are so heartless.

But in the beginning God made a man and a woman.

That's why a man leaves his father and mother and gets married.

He becomes like one person with his wife. Then they are no longer two people, but one.

And no one should separate a couple that God has joined together.”

When Jesus and his disciples were back in the house, they asked him about what he had said.

He told them, “A man who divorces his wife and marries someone else is unfaithful to his wife.

A woman who divorces her husband and marries again is also unfaithful.”

Some people brought their children to Jesus so he could bless them by placing his hands on them. But his disciples told the people to stop bothering him.

When Jesus saw this, he became angry and said, “Let the children come to me! Don't try to stop them. People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God.

I promise you that you cannot get into God's kingdom, unless you accept it the way a child does.”

Then Jesus took the children in his arms and blessed them by placing his hands on them.

As Jesus was walking down a road, a man ran up to him. He knelt down, and asked, “Good teacher, what can I do to have eternal life?”

Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good? Only God is good.

You know the commandments. ‘Do not murder. Be faithful in marriage. Do not steal. Do not tell lies about others. Do not cheat. Respect your father and mother.’ ”

The man answered, “Teacher, I have obeyed all these commandments since I was a young man.”

Jesus looked closely at the man. He liked him and said, “There's one thing you still need to do. Go sell everything you own. Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come with me.”

When the man heard Jesus say this, he went away gloomy and sad because he was very rich.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “It's hard for rich people to get into God's kingdom!”

The disciples were shocked to hear this. So Jesus told them again, “It's terribly hard to get into God's kingdom!

In fact, it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into God's kingdom.”

Jesus' disciples were even more amazed. They asked each other, “How can anyone ever be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything.”

Peter replied, “Remember, we left everything to be your followers!”

Jesus told him: You can be sure that anyone who gives up home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or land for me and for the good news

will be rewarded. In this world they will be given 100 times as many houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and pieces of land, though they will also be mistreated. And in the world to come, they will have eternal life.

But many who are now first will be last, and many who are now last will be first.

The disciples were confused as Jesus led them toward Jerusalem, and his other followers were afraid. Once again, Jesus took the twelve disciples aside and told them what was going to happen to him. He said:

We are now on our way to Jerusalem where the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses. They will sentence him to death and hand him over to foreigners,

who will make fun of him and spit on him. They will beat him and kill him. But three days later he will rise to life.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, will you do us a favor?”

Jesus asked them what they wanted,

and they answered, “When you come into your glory, please let one of us sit at your right side and the other at your left.”

Jesus told them, “You don't really know what you're asking! Are you able to drink from the cup that I must soon drink from or be baptized as I must be baptized?”

“Yes, we are!” James and John answered. Then Jesus replied, “You certainly will drink from the cup from which I must drink. And you will be baptized just as I must!

But it isn't for me to say who will sit at my right side and at my left. This is for God to decide.”

When the ten other disciples heard this, they were angry with James and John.

But Jesus called the disciples together and said: You know that those foreigners who call themselves kings like to order their people around. And their great leaders have full power over the people they rule.

But don't act like them. If you want to be great, you must be the servant of all the others.

And if you want to be first, you must be everyone's slave.

The Son of Man did not come to be a slave master, but a slave who will give his life to rescue many people.

Jesus and his disciples went to Jericho. And as they were leaving, they were followed by a large crowd. A blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus son of Timaeus was sitting beside the road.

When he heard that it was Jesus from Nazareth, he shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”

Many people told the man to stop, but he shouted even louder, “Son of David, have pity on me!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him over!” They called out to the blind man and said, “Don't be afraid! Come on! He is calling for you.”

The man threw off his coat as he jumped up and ran to Jesus.

Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man answered, “Master, I want to see!”

Jesus told him, “You may go. Your eyes are healed because of your faith.” At once the man could see, and he went down the road with Jesus.

And rising up thence he comes into the coasts of Judaea, and the other side of the Jordan. And again crowds come together to him, and, as he was accustomed, again he taught them.

And Pharisees coming to [him] asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away [his] wife? (tempting him).

But he answering said to them, What did Moses command you?

And they said, Moses allowed to write a bill of divorce, and to put away.

And Jesus answering said to them, In view of your hard-heartedness he wrote this commandment for you;

but from [the] beginning of [the] creation God made them male and female.

For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be united to his wife,

and the two shall be one flesh: so that they are no longer two but one flesh.

What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.

And again in the house the disciples asked him concerning this.

And he says to them, Whosoever shall put away his wife and shall marry another, commits adultery against her.

And if a woman put away her husband and shall marry another, she commits adultery.

And they brought little children to him that he might touch them. But the disciples rebuked those that brought [them].

But Jesus seeing [it], was indignant, and said to them, Suffer the little children to come to me; forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say to you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall in no wise enter into it.

And having taken them in his arms, having laid his hands on them, he blessed them.

And as he went forth into the way, a person ran up to [him], and kneeling to him asked him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

But Jesus said to him, Why callest thou me good? no one is good but one, [that is] God.

Thou knowest the commandments: Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honour thy father and mother.

And he answering said to him, Teacher, all these things have I kept from my youth.

And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, One thing lackest thou: go, sell whatever thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, [taking up the cross].

But he, sad at the word, went away grieved, for he had large possessions.

And Jesus looking around says to his disciples, How difficultly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

And the disciples were amazed at his words. And Jesus again answering says to them, Children, how difficult it is that those who trust in riches should enter into the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

And they were exceedingly astonished, saying to one another, And who can be saved?

But Jesus looking on them says, With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.

Peter began to say to him, Behold, *we* have left all things and have followed thee.

Jesus answering said, Verily I say to you, There is no one who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, [or wife], or children, or lands, for my sake and for the sake of the gospel,

that shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time: houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions, and in the coming age life eternal.

But many first shall be last, and the last first.

And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going on before them; and they were amazed, and were afraid as they followed. And taking the twelve again to [him], he began to tell them what was going to happen to him:

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be delivered up to the chief priests and to the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him up to the nations:

and they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him; and after three days he shall rise again.

And there come to him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying [to him], Teacher, we would that whatsoever we may ask thee, thou wouldst do it for us.

And he said to them, What would ye that I should do for you?

And they said to him, Give to us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left hand, in thy glory.

And Jesus said to them, Ye do not know what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup which *I* drink, or be baptised with the baptism that *I* am baptised with?

And they said to him, We are able. And Jesus said to them, The cup that *I* drink ye will drink and with the baptism that *I* am baptised with ye will be baptised,

but to sit on my right hand or on my left is not mine to give, but for those for whom it is prepared.

And the ten having heard [of it], began to be indignant about James and John.

But Jesus having called them to [him], says to them, Ye know that those who are esteemed to rule over the nations exercise lordship over them; and their great men exercise authority over them;

but it is not thus among you; but whosoever would be great among you, shall be your minister;

and whosoever would be first of you shall be bondman of all.

For also the Son of man did not come to be ministered to, but to minister, and give his life a ransom for many.

And they come to Jericho, and as he was going out from Jericho, and his disciples and a large crowd, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, the blind [man], sat by the wayside begging.

And having heard that it was Jesus the Nazaraean, he began to cry out and to say, O Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me.

And many rebuked him, that he might be silent; but he cried so much the more, Son of David, have mercy on me.

And Jesus, standing still, desired him to be called. And they call the blind [man], saying to him, Be of good courage, rise up, he calls thee.

And, throwing away his garment, he started up and came to Jesus.

And Jesus answering says to him, What wilt thou that I shall do to thee? And the blind [man] said to him, Rabboni, that I may see.

And Jesus said to him, Go, thy faith has healed thee. And he saw immediately, and followed him in the way.

And having arisen, He goes from there into the districts of Judea and beyond the Jordan. And crowds again are coming-together to Him. And as He was accustomed, He again was teaching them.

And Pharisees having come to Him were asking Him if it is lawful for a husband to send-away a wife— testing Him.

And the One, having responded, said to them, “What did Moses command you?”

And the ones said, “Moses permitted us to write a certificate of divorce and send her away”.

But Jesus said to them, “He wrote this commandment to you because-of your hardness-of-heart.

But from the beginning of creation, ‘He made them male and female’ [Gen 1:27].

‘For this reason, a man will leave-behind his father and mother and will be joined to his wife.

And the two will be one flesh’ [Gen 2:24]. So then, they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Therefore what God paired-together, let a person not separate”.

And the disciples were questioning Him again about this in the house,

and He says to them, “Whoever sends-away his wife and marries another is committing-adultery against her.

And if she, having sent-away her husband, marries another, she is committing-adultery”.

And they were bringing children to Him in order that He might touch them. But the disciples rebuked them.

But Jesus, having seen it, was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to be coming to Me. Do not be forbidding them. For the kingdom of God is of such ones.

Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter into it”.

And having taken them in His arms, He was blessing them, while laying His hands on them.

And while He was proceeding out on the road, one having run up and knelt-before Him was asking Him, “Good Teacher, what should I do in order that I may inherit eternal life?”

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except One— God.

You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit-adultery, do not steal, do not give-false-testimony, do not defraud, be honoring your father and mother’”

And the one said to Him, “Teacher, I kept these all from my youth”.

And Jesus, having looked at him, loved him. And He said to him, “One thing is lacking as to you: Go, sell all-that you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. And come, be following Me”.

But the one, having become downcast at His word, went away grieving. For he was having many properties.

And having looked around, Jesus says to His disciples, “How difficultly the ones having wealth will enter into the kingdom of God”.

And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus, having responded again, says to them, “Children, how difficult it is to enter into the kingdom of God.

It is easier that a camel go through the hole of the needle than that a rich one enter into the kingdom of God”.

And the ones were even more astounded, saying to themselves, “Who indeed can be saved?”

Having looked at them, Jesus says, “With humans it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God”.

Peter began to say to Him, “Behold— we left everything, and have followed You”.

Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for the sake of Me and for the sake of the good-news

except he receive a hundred-fold now in this time— houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along-with persecutions— and in the coming age, eternal life.

But many first ones will be last, and the last ones, first”.

And they were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going-ahead-of them. And they were astonished. And the ones following were fearing. And having again taken aside the twelve, He began to tell them the things going-to happen to Him,

that “Behold— we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be handed-over to the chief priests and the scribes. And they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles.

And they will mock Him and spit-on Him and whip Him and kill Him. And after three days, He will rise-up”.

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approach Him, saying to Him, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask You”.

And the One said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

And the ones said to Him, “Grant to us that we may sit one on Your right side and one on the left side in Your glory”.

But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup which I drink, or to be baptized the baptism which I am baptized?”

And the ones said to Him, “We are able”. And Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup which I drink. And you will be baptized the baptism which I am baptized.

But the sitting on My right side or on the left side is not Mine to give, but it is for whom it has been prepared”.

And having heard-of it, the ten began to be indignant about James and John.

And having summoned them, Jesus says to them, “You know that the ones having-the-reputation-of  being rulers of the Gentiles are lording-over them, and their great ones are exercising-authority-over them.

But it is not so among you. But whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant,

and whoever wants to be first among you shall be slave of all.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many”.

And they come to Jericho. And while He and His disciples and a considerable crowd are proceeding-out from Jericho, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting beside the road.

And having heard that it was Jesus from-Nazareth, he began to cry-out and say, “Son of David, Jesus, have-mercy-on me”.

And many were rebuking him in order that he might keep-silent. But the one was crying-out by much more, “Son of David, have mercy on me”.

And having stopped, Jesus said, “Call him”. And they call the blind one, saying to him, “Take-courage, arise, He is calling you!”

And the one, having thrown-off his cloak, having jumped-up, came to Jesus.

And having responded to him, Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind one said to Him, “Rabboni— that I may see-again!”

And Jesus said to him, “Go. Your faith has restored you”. And immediately he saw-again. And he was following Him on the road.

And rising up from thence, he cometh into the coasts of Judea beyond the Jordan: and the multitudes flock to him again. And as he was accustomed, he taught them again.

And the Pharisees coming to him asked him: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.

But he answering, saith to them: What did Moses command you?

Who said: Moses permitted to write a bill of divorce, and to put her away.

To whom Jesus answering, said: Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you that precept.

But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female.

For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother; and shall cleave to his wife.

And they two shall be in one flesh. Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh.

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

And in the house again his disciples asked him concerning the same thing.

And he saith to them: Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

And if the wife shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

And they brought to him young children, that he might touch them. And the disciples rebuked them that brought them.

Whom when Jesus saw, he was much displeased, and saith to them: Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.

Amen I say to you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall not enter into it.

And embracing them, and laying his hands upon them, he blessed them.

And when he was gone forth into the way, a certain man running up and kneeling before him, asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may receive life everlasting?

And Jesus said to him, Why callest thou me good? None is good but one, that is God.

Thou knowest the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, bear not false witness, do no fraud, honour thy father and mother.

But he answering, said to him: Master, all these things I have observed from my youth.

And Jesus looking on him, loved him, and said to him: One thing is wanting unto thee: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.

Who being struck sad at that saying, went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

And Jesus looking round about, saith to his disciples: How hardly shall they that have riches, enter into the kingdom of God!

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus again answering, saith to them: Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches, to enter into the kingdom of God?

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Who wondered the more, saying among themselves: Who then can be saved?

And Jesus looking on them, saith: With men it is impossible; but not with God: for all things are possible with God.

And Peter began to say unto him: Behold, we have left all things, and have followed thee.

Jesus answering, said: Amen I say to you, there is no man who hath left house or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my sake and for the gospel,

Who shall not receive an hundred times as much, now in this time; houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions: and in the world to come life everlasting.

But many that are first, shall be last: and the last, first.

And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem: and Jesus went before them, and they were astonished; and following were afraid. And taking again the twelve, he began to tell them the things that should befall him.

Saying: Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be betrayed to the chief priests, and to the scribes and ancients, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles.

And they shall mock him, and spit on him, and scourge him, and kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

And James and John the sons of Zebedee, come to him, saying: Master, we desire that whatsoever we shall ask, thou wouldst do it for us:

But he said to them: What would you that I should do for you?

And they said: Grant to us, that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

And Jesus said to them: You know not what you ask. Can you drink of the chalice that I drink of: or be baptized with the baptism wherewith I am baptized?

But they said to him: We can. And Jesus saith to them: You shall indeed drink of the chalice that I drink of: and with the baptism wherewith I am baptized, you shall be baptized.

But to sit on my right hand, or on my left, is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared.

And the ten hearing it, began to be much displeased at James and John.

But Jesus calling them, saith to them: You know that they who seem to rule over the Gentiles, lord it over them: and their princes have power over them.

But it is not so among you: but whosoever will be greater, shall be your minister.

And whosoever will be first among you, shall be the servant of all.

For the Son of man also is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a redemption for many.

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho, with his disciples, and a very great multitude, Bartimeus the blind man, the son of Timeus, sat by the way side begging.

Who when he had heard, that it was Jesus of Nazareth, began to cry out, and to say: Jesus son of David, have mercy on me.

And many rebuked him, that he might hold his peace; but he cried a great deal the more: Son of David, have mercy on me.

And Jesus, standing still, commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying to him: Be of better comfort: arise, he calleth thee.

Who casting off his garment leaped up, and came to him.

And Jesus answering, said to him: What wilt thou that I should do to thee? And the blind man said to him: Rabboni, that I may see.

And Jesus saith to him: Go thy way, thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he saw, and followed him in the way.

Then Jesus left there and went into the area of Judea and across the Jordan River. Again, many people came to him, and Jesus taught them as he always did.

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and tried to make him say something wrong. They asked him, “Is it right for a man to divorce his wife?”

Jesus answered, “What did Moses command you to do?”

The Pharisees said, “Moses allowed a man to divorce his wife by writing a certificate of divorce.”

Jesus said, “Moses wrote that command for you because you refused to accept God’s teaching.

But when God made the world, ‘he made people male and female.’

‘That is why a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife.

And the two people will become one.’ So they are no longer two, but one.

God has joined them together, so no one should separate them.”

Later, when the followers and Jesus were in the house, they asked him again about the question of divorce.

He said, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman has sinned against his wife. He is guilty of adultery.

And the woman who divorces her husband and marries another man is also guilty of adultery.”

People brought their small children to Jesus so that he could lay his hands on them to bless them. But the followers told the people to stop bringing their children to him.

Jesus saw what happened. He did not like his followers telling the children not to come. So he said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because God’s kingdom belongs to people who are like these little children.

The truth is, you must accept God’s kingdom like a little child accepts things, or you will never enter it.”

Then Jesus held the children in his arms. He laid his hands on them and blessed them.

Jesus started to leave, but a man ran to him and bowed down on his knees before him. The man asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to get the life that never ends?”

Jesus answered, “Why do you call me good? Only God is good.

And you know his commands: ‘You must not murder anyone, you must not commit adultery, you must not steal, you must not lie, you must not cheat, you must respect your father and mother ….’”

The man said, “Teacher, I have obeyed all these commands since I was a boy.”

Jesus looked at the man in a way that showed how much he cared for him. He said, “There is still one thing you need to do. Go and sell everything you have. Give the money to those who are poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come and follow me.”

The man was upset when Jesus told him to give away his money. He didn’t want to do this, because he was very rich. So he went away sad.

Then Jesus looked at his followers and said to them, “It will be very hard for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom!”

The followers were amazed at what Jesus said. But he said again, “My children, it is very hard to enter God’s kingdom!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom!”

The followers were even more amazed and said to each other, “Then who can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “That is something people cannot do, but God can. He can do anything.”

Peter said to Jesus, “We left everything to follow you!”

Jesus said, “I can promise that everyone who has left their home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or farm for me and for the Good News about me

will get a hundred times more than they left. Here in this world they will get more homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and farms. And with these things they will have persecutions. But in the world that is coming they will also get the reward of eternal life.

Many people who have the highest place now will have the lowest place in the future. And the people who have the lowest place now will have the highest place then.”

Jesus and those with him were on their way to Jerusalem. He was at the front of the group. His followers were wondering what was happening, and the people who followed behind them were feeling afraid. Jesus gathered the twelve apostles again and talked with them alone. He told them what would happen in Jerusalem.

He said, “We are going to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the leading priests and teachers of the law. They will say that he must die and will hand him over to the foreigners,

who will laugh at him and spit on him. They will beat him with whips and kill him. But on the third day after his death, he will rise to life again.”

Then James and John, sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want to ask you to do something for us.”

Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”

The sons answered, “Let us share the great honor you will have as king. Let one of us sit at your right side and the other at your left.”

Jesus said, “You don’t understand what you are asking. Can you drink from the cup that I must drink from? Can you be baptized with the same baptism that I must go through?”

The sons answered, “Yes, we can!” Jesus said to the sons, “It is true that you will drink from the cup that I drink from. And you will be baptized with the same baptism that I must go through.

But it is not for me to say who will sit at my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he chooses.”

When the other ten followers heard this, they were angry with James and John.

Jesus called all the followers together. He said, “The non-Jewish people have men they call rulers. You know that those rulers love to show their power over the people. And their important leaders love to use all their authority over the people.

But it should not be that way with you. Whoever wants to be your leader must be your servant.

Whoever wants to be first must serve the rest of you like a slave.

Follow my example: Even the Son of Man did not come for people to serve him. He came to serve others and to give his life to save many people.”

Then they came to the town of Jericho. When Jesus left there with his followers, a large crowd was with them. A blind man named Bartimaeus (meaning “son of Timaeus”) was sitting by the road. He was always begging for money.

He heard that Jesus from Nazareth was walking by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, please help me!”

Many people criticized the blind man and told him to be quiet. But he shouted more and more, “Son of David, please help me!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man and said, “You can be happy now. Stand up! Jesus is calling you.”

The blind man stood up quickly. He left his coat there and went to Jesus.

Jesus asked the man, “What do you want me to do for you?” He answered, “Teacher, I want to see again.”

Jesus said, “Go. You are healed because you believed.” Immediately the man was able to see again. He followed Jesus down the road.

Then Jesus left that place and he went to Judea. He went across to the east side of the Jordan River. Crowds of people came to him again. So he taught them, as he usually did.

Some Pharisees came to Jesus. They wanted to find out how he would answer their question. They asked him, ‘Can a man send his wife away, so that she is no longer his wife? Is it right for him to do that?’

Jesus replied with a question: ‘What did Moses say was right for you?’

The Pharisees said, ‘Moses said that a man could write a letter to say that he and his wife are no longer married. Then the man can send the woman away.’

Jesus said to them, ‘You did not want to obey God. That is why Moses made this rule for you.

But at the start, when God made the world, he made people male and female.

That is the reason that a man leaves his father and his mother. Then God joins him and his wife together.

The man and the woman become like one body. They are not two separate people any longer. They have come together as one person.

God has put them together to be husband and wife. So nobody should cause them to be separate.’

When Jesus went into the house, the disciples asked him about these things again.

So Jesus said to them, ‘A man must not send his wife away and then marry another woman. If he does that, he has not been faithful to his wife. It is the same as if he had sex with another man's wife.

In the same way, a woman must not leave her husband and then marry another man. She also has done a wrong thing. It is the same as if she had sex with another woman's husband.’

People were bringing little children to Jesus. They wanted him to put his hands on each child's head. The disciples told the people that they should not do that.

But when Jesus saw this, he was angry. He said to them, ‘Do not stop the children. Let them come to me. People must become like these children so that God can rule their lives. That is what the kingdom of God is like.

I tell you this: A person must become like a little child for God to rule in his life. If he does not become like a child, he will not come into the kingdom of God.’

Then Jesus took hold of the children. He put his hands on each of them and he asked God to bless them.

While Jesus was starting on his journey, a man ran to him. He went down on his knees in front of Jesus. He said to Jesus, ‘Good teacher, what must I do so that I can live with God for ever?’

Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you say that I am good? Only God is good. Nobody else.

You know God's rules: “Do not kill anyone. Do not have sex with anyone who is not your wife. Do not rob anyone. Do not say things that are not true about people. Do not take things that are not yours. Love your father and your mother, and obey them.” ’

‘Teacher,’ the man replied, ‘I have obeyed all these laws since I was a young man.’

Jesus looked at the man and Jesus loved him. Jesus said to him, ‘There is still just one thing that you must do. Go now. Sell everything that you have. Then give the money to poor people. If you do that, you will have many valuable things in heaven. Then come back and be my disciple.’

When the man heard that, his face became sad. He was a very rich man. Because of that, he went away and he was very sad.

Jesus looked round and he said to his disciples, ‘It is very difficult for rich people to let God rule in their lives.’

They were very surprised about Jesus' words. Jesus spoke again to them: ‘My friends, it is very difficult for anyone to let God rule in their life.

The hole in a needle is very small. A camel cannot go through it! But it is even more difficult than that for a rich person to let God rule in their life.’

Then Jesus' disciples were even more surprised. They said to each other, ‘So perhaps God will not save anyone!’

Jesus looked at them and he replied, ‘For people, it really is impossible. But God can do it. God can do everything.’

Peter said to Jesus, ‘Look! We have left everything that we had. Now we are your disciples.’

Jesus said, ‘I tell you this: Some people have left their homes. Or they may have left their brothers or sisters. Or they may have left their mother or their father. Or they may have left their children or their fields. They have done that because of me. And they have done it because of God's good news.

Now, in this world, God will give those people many more things than they have left behind, even 100 times more! Yes, they will receive houses and brothers and sisters. They will receive mothers and children and fields. As well as all this, people will be against them. But in the future world, they will live for ever with God.

But many people who are very important now will not be important then. And people who are not important now will become very important then.’

Jesus and his disciples were walking along the road towards Jerusalem. Jesus was walking in front of them all. The disciples were very upset. Other people who were following behind them were afraid. Jesus again took his 12 apostles away from the other people. He began to tell them what would happen to him soon.

‘Listen!’ he said to them. ‘We are going to Jerusalem. There, someone will give the Son of Man to the leaders of the priests and to the teachers of God's Law. These Jewish leaders will decide that he must die. Then they will put him under the power of people who are not Jews.

Those people will laugh at him. They will spit at him. They will hit him with whips. Then they will kill him. But after three days, he will become alive again.’

James and John, who were Zebedee's sons, came to Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we want to ask you for something. Please do it for us.’

‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked them.

They said to him, ‘When you are king, we want to rule with you. One of us will sit at your right side and the other one at your left side.’

Jesus said to them, ‘You do not understand what you are asking for. I will have much pain and trouble. Are you ready to have the same pain? Are you ready to die in the way that I will die?’

James and John replied, ‘Yes, we can do all that.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Yes, that is true. You will have pain like mine. And people will want to kill you like me.

But I cannot promise that you will sit at my right side or at my left side. God has chosen the people who will sit there. He has prepared the places for those people.’

When the other ten disciples heard about this, they were angry with James and John.

But Jesus told the disciples to come to him. He said to them, ‘You know the things that rulers of other countries do. They show that they have much power over their people. The leaders of those countries use great authority over their people.

But you should not be like that. Instead, the person who wants to be great among you must become like your servant.

Anyone who wants to be the most important person among you must work hard for you all.

Even the Son of Man came to earth to be a servant to other people. He did not come here to have servants who must work for him. No, he came to die so that many people can be free.’

Then Jesus and his disciples arrived in Jericho. When they were leaving the city again, a large crowd of people followed them. A blind man was sitting by the side of the road. He was asking people to give him money. His name was Bartimaeus and he was the son of Timaeus.

Somebody told Bartimaeus that Jesus from Nazareth was walking past him. So he began to shout. He said, ‘Jesus, Son of David! Please be kind to me and help me!’

Many people were angry with Bartimaeus. They told him that he should be quiet. But he shouted even louder than before, ‘Son of David! Please help me!’

Jesus stopped. He said to the people, ‘Tell the man to come here.’ So the people said to the blind man, ‘Be brave! Stand up. Jesus is asking you to go to him.’

So Bartimaeus threw away his coat. He jumped up and he came to Jesus.

Then Jesus said to Bartimaeus, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, I want to see again.’

‘Go,’ Jesus said to him. ‘You are well now, because you believed in me.’ Immediately, Bartimaeus could see again. He followed Jesus along the road.

Jesus got up and went to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. Crowds gathered around him again and, as he usually did, he taught them.

Some Pharisees came to test him and asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

He replied, “What did Moses command you?”

They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”

But Jesus told them, “He wrote this command for you because of your hard hearts.

But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh.

Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

In the house his disciples asked him about this again.

He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.

If she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

Some people began bringing little children to Jesus so that he would touch them. But the disciples rebuked them.

When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said, “Let the little children come to me! Do not hinder them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Amen I tell you: Whoever will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

And he took the little children in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

As Jesus was setting out on a journey, one man ran up to him and knelt in front of him. He asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God.

You know the commandments. ‘You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony. You shall not defraud. Honor your father and mother.’”

The man replied, “Teacher, I have kept all these since I was a child.”

Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When he heard this, he looked sad and went away grieving, because he had great wealth.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”

The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus told them again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in their riches to enter the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

They were even more astonished and said to one another, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “For people, it is impossible, but not for God, because all things are possible for God.”

Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.”

Jesus said, “Amen I tell you: There is no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the gospel,

who now at this time will fail to receive one hundred times as much: houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields (along with persecutions)—and in the coming age: eternal life.

But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was leading them. The disciples were amazed, and the others who followed were afraid. He took the Twelve aside again and began to tell them what was going to happen to him.

“Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the experts in the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles.

They will mock him, spit on him, flog him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached him and said, “Teacher, we wish that you would do for us whatever we ask.”

He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”

They said to him, “Promise that we may sit, one at your right and one at your left, in your glory.”

But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink or be baptized with the baptism that I am going to be baptized with?”

“We can,” they replied. Jesus told them, “You will drink the cup that I am going to drink and be baptized with the baptism that I am going to be baptized with.

But to sit at my right or at my left is not for me to give; rather, these places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

When the ten heard this, they were angry with James and John.

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

But that is not the way it is to be among you. Instead, whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant,

and whoever wants to be first among you will be a slave of all.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

They came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, a blind man, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road begging.

When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Many told him to be quiet, but he kept shouting all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!”

He tossed aside his outer garment, jumped up, and went to Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man replied, “Rabboni, I want to see again.”

Jesus told him, “Go. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight and began following Jesus on the road.

And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.

And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

He answered them, “What did Moses command you?”

They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.”

And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.

But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’

‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,

and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh.

What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.

And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her,

and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’”

And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.”

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.”

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel,

who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him,

saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles.

And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”

And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”

And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”

Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized,

but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,

and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside.

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.”

And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.

And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.”

And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.

And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

He answered them, “What did Moses command you?”

They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.”

And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.

But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’

‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,

and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh.

What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter.

And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her,

and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honour your father and mother.’”

And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.”

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.”

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel,

who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. And taking the twelve again, he began to tell them what was to happen to him,

saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles.

And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”

And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”

And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”

Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized,

but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,

and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside.

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.”

And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus.

And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.”

And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.

Then Jesus left that place and went into the ·area [region] of Judea and across the Jordan River. Again, crowds came to him, and he taught them as he usually did.

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and tried to ·trick [test; trap] him. They asked, “Is it ·right [lawful; ^Caccording to the law of Moses] for a man to divorce his wife?”

Jesus answered, “What did Moses command you to do?”

They said, “Moses ·allowed [permitted] a man to write out divorce papers and send her away [Deut. 24:1].”

Jesus said, “Moses wrote that command for you because you were ·stubborn [hard hearted].

But ·when God made the world [from the beginning of creation], ‘he made them male and female’ [Gen. 1:27; 5:2].

‘So a man will leave his father and mother and be ·united with [joined to] his wife,

and the two will become ·one body [as though they were one person; ^Tone flesh; Gen. 2:24]’. So they are no longer two, but one.

God has joined the two together, so no one should separate them.”

Later, in the house, his ·followers [disciples] asked Jesus again about ·the question of divorce [^Lthis matter].

He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman ·is guilty of [commits] adultery against her.

And the woman who divorces her husband and marries another man ·is also guilty of [commits] adultery.”

Some people brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch them, but his ·followers [disciples] ·told them to stop [scolded/rebuked them].

When Jesus saw this, he was ·upset [angry; indignant] and said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these children [^Cmeaning humble and dependent].

I tell you the truth, you must accept the kingdom of God as if you were a little child, or you will never enter it.”

Then Jesus took the children in his arms, ·put [laid] his hands on them, and blessed them.

As Jesus started ·to leave [on his way; on a journey], a man ran to him and ·fell on his knees [knelt] before Jesus. The man asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to ·have life forever [^Linherit eternal life]?”

Jesus answered, “Why do you call me good? ·Only God is good [No one is good except One—God; ^CJesus is not denying his own divinity, but is challenging the man’s understanding of goodness].

You know the commands: ‘You must not murder. You must not ·be guilty of [commit] adultery. You must not steal. You must not ·tell lies about your neighbor [testify falsely; ^Tbear false witness]. You must not ·cheat [defraud]. Honor your father and mother’ [Ex. 20:12–16; Deut. 5:16–20].”

The man said, “Teacher, I have ·obeyed [kept carefully; guarded] all these things since I was a boy.”

Jesus, looking at the man, loved him and said, “There is one more thing you need to do. Go and sell everything you have, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.”

He was ·very sad [shocked; appalled] to hear Jesus say this, and he left ·sorrowfully [grieving], because he ·was rich [had many possessions].

Then Jesus looked [around] at his ·followers [disciples] and said, “How hard it will be for ·the rich [those with many possessions] to enter the kingdom of God!”

The ·followers [disciples] were ·amazed [astonished] at what Jesus said. [^CIn Judaism wealth was generally viewed as a reward from God.] But he said again, “My children, it is very hard to enter the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God [^Cmeaning it is impossible, by human effort; see v. 27].”

They were even more ·surprised [amazed] and said to each other, “Then who can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “·For people [Humanly speaking,] this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”

Peter ·said [spoke up] to Jesus, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, all those who have left houses, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or ·farms [fields] for me and for the ·Good News [Gospel]

will get more than they left. Here in ·this world [the present age] they will have a hundred times more homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and ·fields [farms]. And with those things, ·they will also suffer for their belief [persecutions]. But in the ·age [world] that is coming they will have ·life forever [eternal life].

Many who are first now will be last in the future. And many who are last now will be first in the future.”

As Jesus and the people with him were on the road to Jerusalem, he was leading the way. His ·followers [disciples] were ·amazed [surprised; puzzled; alarmed], but others in the crowd who followed were afraid. Again Jesus took ·the twelve apostles [the Twelve] aside and began to tell them what was about to happen [to him] in Jerusalem.

He said, “Look, we are going [^Lup] to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be ·turned over [betrayed; delivered over; see 9:31] to the ·leading [^Tchief] priests and the ·teachers of the law [scribes]. They will ·say that he must die [condemn him to death], and they will turn him over to the ·Gentiles [^Cthe Roman authorities],

who will laugh at him and spit on him. They will beat him with whips and ·crucify [^Lkill] him. But after three days, he will rise to life again.”

Then James and John, sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want ·to ask you to do something for us [you to do whatever we ask].”

Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”

They answered, “Let one of us sit at your right side and one of us sit at your left side in your glory [^Cthe messianic kingdom].”

Jesus said, “You don’t understand what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I must drink? And can you be baptized with the same kind of baptism that I must go through?” [^CBoth “cup” and “baptism” symbolize suffering, and perhaps God’s judgment experienced by Jesus on the cross; Jer. 25:15–29.]

They answered, “Yes, we can.” Jesus said to them, “You will drink the same cup that I will drink, and you will be baptized with the same baptism that I must go through.

But ·I cannot choose [it is not for me to grant/say] who will sit at my right or my left; those places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

When ·the other ten followers [^Lthe ten] heard this, they began to be ·angry [indignant] with James and John.

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of ·other nations [the Gentiles] love to ·show their power [lord it] over the people, and their ·important leaders [high officials; ^Lgreat ones] love to ·use [exert] their authority [^Lover them].

But it ·should not be [must not be; is not to be] that way among you. [Instead, ^LBut] Whoever wants to become great among you must ·serve the rest of you like a servant [^Lbe your servant].

Whoever wants to become the first among you must ·serve all of you like a slave [^Lbe your slave].

In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people [Is. 53:12; John 11:49–50].”

Then they came to the town of Jericho. As Jesus was leaving there with his ·followers [disciples] and a great many people, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus [which means] son of Timaeus was sitting by the road.

When he heard that Jesus from Nazareth was walking by, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David [^Ca title for the Messiah, a descendant of King David; 2 Sam. 7:11–16], ·have mercy [take pity] on me!”

Many people ·warned [rebuked; scolded] the blind man to be quiet, but he shouted even more, “Son of David, ·have mercy [take pity] on me!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Tell the man to come here.” So they called the blind man, saying, “·Cheer up [Take courage]! Get to your feet. Jesus is calling you.”

The blind man jumped up, ·left his coat there [threw off his cloak], and went to Jesus.

Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man answered, “·Teacher [^LRabbouni], I want to see.”

Jesus said, “Go, ·you are healed because you believed [your faith has healed you].” At once the man could see, and he followed Jesus on the road.

9 The wife, only for fornication, is to be put away. 13 Little children are brought to Christ. 17 A rich man asketh Jesus, how he may possess eternal life. 28 The Apostles forsook all things for Christ’s sake. 33 Christ foreshoweth his death. 35 Zebedee’s sons’ request. 46 Blind Bartimaeus healed. And he arose from thence, and went into the coasts of Judea by the far side of Jordan, and the people resorted unto him again, and as he was wont, he taught them again.

Then the Pharisees came and asked him, if it were lawful for a man to put away his wife, and tempted him.

And he answered, and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

Then Jesus answered, and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote this precept unto you.

But at the beginning of the creation God made them male and female:

For this cause shall man leave his father and mother, and cleave unto his wife.

And they twain shall be one flesh: so that they are no more twain, but one flesh.

Therefore, what God hath coupled together, let not man separate.

And in the house his disciples asked him again of that matter.

And he said unto them, whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another, commiteth adultery against her.

And if a woman put away her husband, and be married to another, she commiteth adultery.

¶ Then they brought little children to him, that he should touch them, and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was displeased, and said to them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

And he took them up in his arms, and put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

¶ And when he was gone out on the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do, that I may possess eternal life?

Jesus said to him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, even God.

Thou knowest the commandments, Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness. Thou shalt hurt no man . Honor thy father and mother.

Then he answered, and said to him, Master, all these things have I observed from my youth.

And Jesus looked upon him, and loved him, and said unto him, One thing is lacking unto thee. Go and sell all that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me, and take up the cross.

But he was sad at that saying, and went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

And Jesus looked round about, and said unto his disciples, How hardly do they that have riches, enter into the kingdom of God!

And his disciples were afraid at his words. But Jesus answered again, and said unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches, to enter into the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

And they were much more astonied, saying with themselves, Who then can be saved?

But Jesus looked upon them, and said, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

¶ Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have forsaken all, and have followed thee.

Jesus answered, and said, Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath forsaken house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my sake and the Gospels,

But he shall receive an hundredfold, now at this present, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands with persecutions, and in the world to come, eternal life.

But many that are first, shall be last, and the last, first.

¶ And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went before them, and they were troubled, and as they followed, they were afraid, and Jesus took the twelve again, and began to tell them what things should come unto him,

Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the high Priests, and to the Scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles.

And they shall mock him, and scourge him, and spit upon him, and kill him: but the third day he shall rise again.

¶ Then James and John the sons of Zebedee came unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us that we desire.

And he said unto them, What would ye I should do for you?

And they said to him, Grant unto us, that we may sit, one at thy right hand, and the other at thy left hand in thy glory.

But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask. Can ye drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that I shall be baptized with?

And they said unto him, We can. But Jesus said unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of the cup that I shall drink of, and be baptized with the baptism wherewith I shall be baptized:

But to sit at my right hand and at my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

And when the ten heard that, they began to disdain at James and John.

But Jesus called them unto him, and said to them, Ye know that they which are princes among the Gentiles, have domination over them, and they that be great among them, exercise authority over them.

But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your servant.

And whosoever will be chief of you, shall be the servant of all.

For even the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life for the ransom of many.

¶ Then they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples, and a great multitude, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, a blind man, sat by the wayside, begging.

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry, and to say, Jesus the Son of David, have mercy on me.

And many rebuked him, because he should hold his peace: but he cried much more, O Son of David, have mercy on me.

Then Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called: and they called the blind, saying unto him, Be of good comfort: arise, he calleth thee.

So he threw away his cloak, and rose, and came to Jesus.

And Jesus answered, and said unto him, What wilt thou that I do unto thee? And the blind said unto him, Lord, that I may receive sight.

Then Jesus said unto him, Go thy way: thy faith hath saved thee. And by and by he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Jesus left there and went into the territory of Judea along the other side of the Jordan River. Crowds gathered around him again, and he taught them as he usually did.

Some Pharisees came to test him. They asked, “Can a husband divorce his wife?”

Jesus answered them, “What command did Moses give you?”

They said, “Moses allowed a man to give his wife a written notice to divorce her.”

Jesus said to them, “He wrote this command for you because you’re heartless.

But God made them male and female in the beginning, at creation.

That’s why a man will leave his father and mother and will remain united with his wife,

and the two will be one. So they are no longer two but one.

Therefore, don’t let anyone separate what God has joined together.”

When they were in a house, the disciples asked him about this.

He answered them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman is committing adultery.

If a wife divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery.”

Some people brought little children to Jesus to have him hold them. But the disciples told the people not to do that.

When Jesus saw this, he became irritated. He told them, “Don’t stop the children from coming to me. Children like these are part of God’s kingdom.

I can guarantee this truth: Whoever doesn’t receive God’s kingdom as a little child receives it will never enter it.”

Jesus put his arms around the children and blessed them by placing his hands on them.

As Jesus was coming out to the road, a man came running to him and knelt in front of him. He asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

You know the commandments: Never murder. Never commit adultery. Never steal. Never give false testimony. Never cheat. Honor your father and mother.”

The man replied, “Teacher, I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was a boy.”

Jesus looked at him and loved him. He told him, “You’re still missing one thing. Sell everything you have. Give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then follow me!”

When the man heard that, he looked unhappy and went away sad, because he owned a lot of property.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for rich people to enter God’s kingdom!”

The disciples were stunned by his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter God’s kingdom!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”

This amazed his disciples more than ever. They asked each other, “Who, then, can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “It’s impossible for people ⌞to save themselves⌟, but it’s not impossible for God to save them. Everything is possible for God.”

Then Peter spoke up, “We’ve given up everything to follow you.”

Jesus said, “I can guarantee this truth: Anyone who gave up his home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or fields because of me and the Good News

will certainly receive a hundred times as much here in this life. They will certainly receive homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields, along with persecutions. But in the world to come they will receive eternal life.

But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Jerusalem. Jesus was walking ahead of them. His disciples were shocked ⌞that he was going to Jerusalem⌟. The others who followed were afraid. Once again he took the twelve apostles aside. He began to tell them what was going to happen to him.

“We’re going to Jerusalem. There the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the experts in Moses’ Teachings. They will condemn him to death and hand him over to foreigners.

They will make fun of him, spit on him, whip him, and kill him. But after three days he will come back to life.”

James and John, sons of Zebedee, went to Jesus. They said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do us a favor.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked them.

They said to him, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

Jesus said, “You don’t realize what you’re asking. Can you drink the cup that I’m going to drink? Can you be baptized with the baptism that I’m going to receive?”

“We can,” they told him. Jesus told them, “You will drink the cup that I’m going to drink. You will be baptized with the baptism that I’m going to receive.

But I don’t have the authority to grant you a seat at my right or left. Those positions have already been prepared for certain people.”

When the other ten apostles heard about it, they were irritated with James and John.

Jesus called the apostles and said, “You know that the acknowledged rulers of nations have absolute power over people and their officials have absolute authority over people.

But that’s not the way it’s going to be among you. Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant.

Whoever wants to be most important among you will be a slave for everyone.

It’s the same way with the Son of Man. He didn’t come so that others could serve him. He came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many people.”

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus, his disciples, and many people were leaving Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road.

When he heard that Jesus from Nazareth ⌞was passing by⌟, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The people told him to be quiet. But he shouted even louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him!” They called the blind man and told him, “Cheer up! Get up! He’s calling you.”

The blind man threw off his coat, jumped up, and went to Jesus.

Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see again.”

Jesus told him, “Go, your faith has made you well.” At once he could see again, and he followed Jesus on the road.

Then Jesus left that place, went to the province of Judea, and crossed the Jordan River. Crowds came flocking to him again, and he taught them, as he always did.

Some Pharisees came to him and tried to trap him. “Tell us,” they asked, “does our Law allow a man to divorce his wife?”

Jesus answered with a question, “What law did Moses give you?”

Their answer was, “Moses gave permission for a man to write a divorce notice and send his wife away.”

Jesus said to them, “Moses wrote this law for you because you are so hard to teach.

But in the beginning, at the time of creation, ‘God made them male and female,’ as the scripture says.

‘And for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife,

and the two will become one.’ So they are no longer two, but one.

No human being must separate, then, what God has joined together.”

When they went back into the house, the disciples asked Jesus about this matter.

He said to them, “A man who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against his wife.

In the same way, a woman who divorces her husband and marries another man commits adultery.”

Some people brought children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples scolded the people.

When Jesus noticed this, he was angry and said to his disciples, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

I assure you that whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

Then he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on each of them, and blessed them.

As Jesus was starting on his way again, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone.

You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not accuse anyone falsely; do not cheat; respect your father and your mother.’”

“Teacher,” the man said, “ever since I was young, I have obeyed all these commandments.”

Jesus looked straight at him with love and said, “You need only one thing. Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me.”

When the man heard this, gloom spread over his face, and he went away sad, because he was very rich.

Jesus looked around at his disciples and said to them, “How hard it will be for rich people to enter the Kingdom of God!”

The disciples were shocked at these words, but Jesus went on to say, “My children, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God!

It is much harder for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.”

At this the disciples were completely amazed and asked one another, “Who, then, can be saved?”

Jesus looked straight at them and answered, “This is impossible for human beings but not for God; everything is possible for God.”

Then Peter spoke up, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”

“Yes,” Jesus said to them, “and I tell you that those who leave home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and for the gospel,

will receive much more in this present age. They will receive a hundred times more houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields—and persecutions as well; and in the age to come they will receive eternal life.

But many who are now first will be last, and many who are now last will be first.”

Jesus and his disciples were now on the road going up to Jerusalem. Jesus was going ahead of the disciples, who were filled with alarm; the people who followed behind were afraid. Once again Jesus took the twelve disciples aside and spoke of the things that were going to happen to him.

“Listen,” he told them, “we are going up to Jerusalem where the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the teachers of the Law. They will condemn him to death and then hand him over to the Gentiles,

who will make fun of him, spit on him, whip him, and kill him; but three days later he will rise to life.”

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus. “Teacher,” they said, “there is something we want you to do for us.”

“What is it?” Jesus asked them.

They answered, “When you sit on your throne in your glorious Kingdom, we want you to let us sit with you, one at your right and one at your left.”

Jesus said to them, “You don't know what you are asking for. Can you drink the cup of suffering that I must drink? Can you be baptized in the way I must be baptized?”

“We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup I must drink and be baptized in the way I must be baptized.

But I do not have the right to choose who will sit at my right and my left. It is God who will give these places to those for whom he has prepared them.”

When the other ten disciples heard about it, they became angry with James and John.

So Jesus called them all together to him and said, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the heathen have power over them, and the leaders have complete authority.

This, however, is not the way it is among you. If one of you wants to be great, you must be the servant of the rest;

and if one of you wants to be first, you must be the slave of all.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served; he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people.”

They came to Jericho, and as Jesus was leaving with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus son of Timaeus was sitting by the road.

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus! Son of David! Have mercy on me!”

Many of the people scolded him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up!” they said. “Get up, he is calling you.”

So he threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. “Teacher,” the blind man answered, “I want to see again.”

“Go,” Jesus told him, “your faith has made you well.” At once he was able to see and followed Jesus on the road.

He set out from there and went to the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Then crowds converged on Him again and, as He usually did, He began teaching them once more.

Some Pharisees approached Him to test Him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

He replied to them, “What did Moses command you?”

They said, “Moses permitted us to write divorce papers and send her away.”

But Jesus told them, “He wrote this command for you because of the hardness of your hearts.

But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female.

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother [and be joined to his wife ],

and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined together, man must not separate.”

Now in the house the disciples questioned Him again about this matter.

And He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.

Also, if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

Some people were bringing little children to Him so He might touch them, but His disciples rebuked them.

When Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me. Don’t stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

I assure you: Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

After taking them in His arms, He laid His hands on them and blessed them.

As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call Me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good but One—God.

You know the commandments: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not defraud; honor your father and mother.”

He said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.”

Then, looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

But he was stunned at this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

But the disciples were astonished at His words. Again Jesus said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

So they were even more astonished, saying to one another, “Then who can be saved?”

Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.”

Peter began to tell Him, “Look, we have left everything and followed You.”

“I assure you,” Jesus said, “there is no one who has left house, brothers or sisters, mother or father, children, or fields because of Me and the gospel,

who will not receive 100 times more, now at this time—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and eternal life in the age to come.

But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them. They were astonished, but those who followed Him were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, He began to tell them the things that would happen to Him.

“Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death. Then they will hand Him over to the Gentiles,

and they will mock Him, spit on Him, flog Him, and kill Him, and He will rise after three days.”

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached Him and said, “Teacher, we want You to do something for us if we ask You.”

“What do you want Me to do for you?” He asked them.

They answered Him, “Allow us to sit at Your right and at Your left in Your glory.”

But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup I drink or to be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

“We are able,” they told Him. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with.

But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to give; instead, it is for those it has been prepared for.”

When the other 10 disciples heard this, they began to be indignant with James and John.

Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and their men of high positions exercise power over them.

But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.”

They came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting by the road.

When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, “Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me!”

Many people told him to keep quiet, but he was crying out all the more, “Have mercy on me, Son of David!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man and said to him, “Have courage! Get up; He’s calling for you.”

He threw off his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

Then Jesus answered him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” “Rabbouni,” the blind man told Him, “I want to see!”

“Go your way,” Jesus told him. “Your faith has healed you.” Immediately he could see and began to follow Him on the road.

Then Jesus left that place. He went into the area of Judea and across the Jordan River. Again, crowds came to him. And Jesus taught them as he always did.

Some Pharisees came to Jesus and tried to trick him. They asked, “Is it right for a man to divorce his wife?”

Jesus answered, “What did Moses command you to do?”

They said, “Moses allowed a man to write out divorce papers and send her away.”

Jesus said, “Moses wrote that command for you because you refused to accept God’s teaching.

But when God made the world, ‘he made them male and female.’

‘So a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife.

And the two people will become one body.’ So the people are not two, but one.

God has joined the two people together. So no one should separate them.”

Later, the followers and Jesus were in the house. They asked Jesus again about the question of divorce.

He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman is guilty of adultery against her.

And the woman who divorces her husband and marries another man is also guilty of adultery.”

Some people brought their small children to Jesus so he could touch them. But his followers told the people to stop bringing their children to him.

When Jesus saw this, he was displeased. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them. The kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these little children.

I tell you the truth. You must accept the kingdom of God as a little child accepts things, or you will never enter it.”

Then Jesus took the children in his arms. He put his hands on them and blessed them.

Jesus started to leave, but a man ran to him and fell on his knees before Jesus. The man asked, “Good teacher, what must I do to get the life that never ends?”

Jesus answered, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

You know the commands: ‘You must not murder anyone. You must not be guilty of adultery. You must not steal. You must not tell lies about your neighbor in court. You must not cheat. Honor your father and mother.’”

The man said, “Teacher, I have obeyed all these commands since I was a boy.”

Jesus looked straight at the man and loved him. Jesus said, “There is still one more thing you need to do. Go and sell everything you have, and give the money to the poor. You will have a reward in heaven. Then come and follow me.”

He was very sad to hear Jesus say this, and he left. The man was sad because he was very rich.

Then Jesus looked at his followers and said, “How hard it will be for those who are rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

The followers were amazed at what Jesus said. But he said again, “My children, it is very hard to enter the kingdom of God!

And it will be very hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. It would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle!”

The followers were even more amazed and said to each other, “Then who can be saved?”

Jesus looked straight at them and said, “For people this is impossible. But for God all things are possible.”

Peter said to Jesus, “We left everything to follow you!”

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth. Everyone who has left his home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or fields for me and for the Good News

will get a hundred times more than he left. Here in this world he will have more homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields. And with those things, he will also suffer for his belief. But in the age that is coming he will have life forever.

Many who are first now will be last in the future. And those who are last now will be first in the future.”

Jesus and the people with him were on the road to Jerusalem. Jesus was leading the way. The followers were amazed, but those who followed behind them were afraid. Jesus took the 12 apostles aside and talked with them alone. He told them what would happen in Jerusalem.

He said, “We are going to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be given to the leading priests and teachers of the law. They will say that he must die. They will give him to the non-Jewish people,

who will laugh at him and spit on him. They will beat him with whips and kill him. But on the third day after his death, he will rise to life again.”

Then James and John, sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus. They said, “Teacher, we want to ask you to do something for us.”

Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”

They answered, “You will have glory in your kingdom. Let one of us sit at your right, and let one of us sit at your left.”

Jesus said, “You don’t understand what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I must drink? And can you be baptized with the same kind of baptism that I must have?”

They answered, “Yes, we can!” Jesus said to them, “You will drink the same cup that I will drink. And you will be baptized with the same baptism that I must have.

But I cannot choose who will sit at my right or my left. These places are for those for whom they are prepared.”

The ten followers heard this. They began to be angry with James and John.

Jesus called all the followers together. He said, “The non-Jewish people have men they call rulers. You know that those rulers love to show their power over the people. And their important leaders love to use all their authority.

But it should not be that way among you. If one of you wants to become great, then he must serve you like a servant.

If one of you wants to become the most important, then he must serve all of you like a slave.

In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve. The Son of Man came to give his life to save many people.”

Then they came to the town of Jericho. As Jesus was leaving there with his followers and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting by the road.

He heard that Jesus from Nazareth was walking by. The blind man cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, please help me!”

Many people scolded the blind man and told him to be quiet. But he shouted more and more, “Son of David, please help me!”

Jesus stopped and said, “Tell the man to come here.” So they called the blind man. They said, “Cheer up! Get to your feet. Jesus is calling you.”

The blind man stood up quickly. He left his coat there and went to Jesus.

Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man answered, “Teacher, I want to see again.”

Jesus said, “Go. You are healed because you believed.” At once the man was able to see again, and he followed Jesus on the road.

Then Jesus left that place and went into the territory of Judea on the other side of the Jordan. Crowds gathered around him as usual, and he began to teach them again as was his custom.

Some Pharisees came to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

“What did Moses command you?” he responded.

They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to divorce her.”

But Jesus told them, “It was because of your hardness of heart that he wrote this command for you.

But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’

That’s why ‘a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife,

and the two will become one flesh.’ So they’re no longer two, but one flesh.

Therefore, what God has joined together, man must never separate.”

Back in the house, the disciples asked him about this again.

So he told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.

And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

Some people were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

When Jesus saw this, he became furious and told them, “Let the little children come to me, and stop keeping them away, because the kingdom of God belongs to people like these.

I tell all of you with certainty, whoever doesn’t receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”

Then after he had hugged the children, he tenderly blessed them as he laid his hands on them.

As Jesus was setting out again, a man ran up to him, knelt down in front of him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Nobody is good except for one—God.

You know the commandments: ‘Never murder.’ ‘Never commit adultery.’ ‘Never steal.’ ‘Never give false testimony.’ ‘Never cheat.’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’”

The man replied to him, “Teacher, I have obeyed all of these since I was a young man.”

Jesus looked at him and loved him. Then he told him, “You’re missing one thing. Go and sell everything you own, give the money to the destitute, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come back and follow me.”

Shocked at this statement, the man went away sad, because he had many possessions.

Then Jesus looked around and told his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!”

The disciples were startled by these words, but Jesus told them again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in their wealth to get into the kingdom of God!

It’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into the kingdom of God.”

The disciples were utterly amazed and asked one another, “Then who can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “For humans it’s impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”

Then Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.”

Jesus said, “I tell all of you with certainty, there is no one who has left his home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or fields because of me and the gospel

who will not receive a hundred times as much here in this world—homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields, along with persecution—as well as eternal life in the age to come.

But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Now Jesus and his disciples had been on the road going up to Jerusalem, with Jesus walking ahead of them. They were astonished, and the others who followed were afraid. Once again, Jesus took the Twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to him.

“Pay attention! We’re going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the high priests and the scribes, and they’ll condemn him to death. Then they’ll hand him over to the unbelievers,

and they’ll make fun of him, spit on him, whip him, and kill him. But after three days he’ll be raised.”

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, went to Jesus and told him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask you.”

He asked them, “What do you want me to do for you?”

They asked him, “Let us sit in your glory, one on your right and one on your left.”

But Jesus told them, “You don’t realize what you’re asking. Can you drink from the cup that I’m going to drink from or be baptized with the baptism with which I’m going to be baptized?”

They told him, “We can.” Jesus told them, “You will drink from the cup that I’m going to drink and be baptized with the baptism with which I’m going to be baptized.

But it’s not up to me to grant you a seat at my right or my left. Those positions have already been prepared for others.”

When the ten other disciples heard this, they began to be furious with James and John.

Jesus called his disciples and told them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers among the unbelievers lord it over them, and their superiors act like tyrants over them.

That’s not the way it should be among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to everyone,

because even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many people.”

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus, his disciples, and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus (that is, the son of Timaeus) was sitting by the road.

When he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was there, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Many people sternly told him to be quiet, but he started shouting even louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

So Jesus stopped and said, “Call him!” So they called the blind man and told him, “Have courage! Get up. He’s calling you.”

He threw off his coat, jumped up, and went to Jesus.

Then Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man told him, “Rabbouni, I want to see again.”

Jesus told him, “Go. Your faith has made you well.” At once the man could see again, and he began to follow Jesus down the road.

Then he got up and left Galilee and went off to the borders of Judea and beyond the Jordan. Again great crowds assembled to meet him, and again, according to his custom, he taught them. Then some Pharisees arrived to ask him this test-question. “Is it right for a man to divorce his wife?”

Jesus replied by asking them, “What has Moses commanded you to do?”

“Moses allows men to write a divorce-notice and then to dismiss her,” they said.

“Moses gave you that commandment,” returned Jesus, “because you know so little of the meaning of love. But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female’. ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’. So that in body they are no longer two people but one. That is why man must never separate what God has joined together.”

On reaching the house, his disciples questioned him again about this matter.

“Any man who divorces his wife and marries another woman,” he told them, “commits adultery against his wife. And if she herself divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery.”

Then some people came to him bringing little children for him to touch. The disciples tried to discourage them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant and told them, “You must let little children come to me—never stop them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Indeed, I assure you that the man who does not accept the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and laid his hands on them and blessed them.

As he began to take the road again (after welcoming the children), a man came running up and fell at his feet, and asked him, “Good Master, what must I do to be sure of eternal life?”

“I wonder why you call me good,” returned Jesus. “No one is good—only God. You know the commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder’, ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honour your father and your mother’.”

“Master,” he replied, “I have kept carefully all these since I was quite young.”

Jesus looked steadily at him, and his heart warmed towards him. Then he said, “There is one thing you still want. Go and sell everything you have, give the money away to the poor—you will have riches in Heaven. And then come back and follow me.”

At these words his face fell and he went away in deep distress, for he was very rich. Then Jesus looked round at them all, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have great possessions to enter the kingdom of God!”

The disciples were staggered at these words, but Jesus continued, “Children, you don’t know how hard it can be to get into the kingdom of Heaven. Why, a camel could more easily squeeze through the eye of a needle than a rich man get into the kingdom of God.”

At this their astonishment knew no bounds, and they said to each other, “Then who can possibly be saved?”

Jesus looked straight at them and said, “Humanly speaking it is impossible, but not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

Then Peter burst out, “But look, we have left everything and followed you!”

“I promise you,” returned Jesus, “nobody leaves home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property for my sake and the Gospel’s without getting back a hundred times over, now in this present life, homes and brothers and sisters, mothers and children and land—though not without persecution—and in the next world eternal life. But many who are first now will then be last, and the last now will then be first.”

They were now on their way up to Jerusalem and Jesus walked on ahead. The disciples were dismayed at this, and those who followed were afraid. Then once more he took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to him.

“We are now going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “as you can see. And the Son of Man will be betrayed into the power of the chief priests and scribes. They are going to condemn him to death and hand him over to pagans who will jeer at him and spit at him and flog him and kill him. But after three days he will rise again.”

Then Zebedee’s two sons James and John approached him, saying “Master, we want you to grant us a special request.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” answered Jesus.

“Give us permission to sit one on each side of you in the glory of your kingdom!”

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I have to drink? Can you go through the baptism I have to bear?”

—“Yes, we can,” they replied. Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink the cup I am drinking, and you will undergo the baptism which I have to bear! But as for sitting on either side of me, that is not for me to give—such places belong to those for whom they are intended.”

When the other ten heard about this, they began to be highly indignant with James and John; so Jesus called them all to him, and said, “You know that the so-called rulers in the heathen world lord it over them, and their great men have absolute power. But it must not be so among you. No, whoever among you wants to be great must become the servant of you all, and if he wants to be first among you he must be the slave of all men! For the Son of Man himself has not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life to set many others free.”

Then they came to Jericho, and as he was leaving it accompanied by his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimeus (that is, the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting in his usual place by the side of the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth he began to call out, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!”

Many of the people told him sharply to keep quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!”

Jesus stood quite still and said, “Call him here.” So they called the blind man, saying, “It’s all right now, get up, he’s calling you!”

At this he threw off his coat, jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked him. “Oh, Master, let me see again!”

“Go on your way then,” returned Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” And he recovered his sight at once and followed Jesus along the road.

¶ And he left there and came into the borders of Judaea and behind the Jordan; and the multitude joined him again, and he taught them again as was his custom.

And the Pharisees came to him and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.

And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorce and to put her away.

And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this commandment.

But at the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

For this cause shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall join to his wife;

and they that were two shall be made one flesh, so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.

And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.

And he said unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another commits adultery against her.

And if the woman shall put away her husband and be married to another, she commits adultery.

¶ And they brought young children to him that he should touch them, and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

And Jesus seeing it, became angry and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me and hinder them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

And taking them up in his arms and putting his hands upon them, he blessed them.

¶ And as he was leaving to continue his way, there came one running, who kneeled before him and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

And Jesus said unto him, Why dost thou call me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

Thou knowest the commandments: Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these I have observed from my youth.

Then Jesus beholding him loved him and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell all that thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, {Gr. stauros – stake} and follow me taking up thy stake (if thy desire is to be perfect).

But he, saddened by this word, went away grieved, for he had great possessions.

Then Jesus, looking around, said unto his disciples, How hardly shall those that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again and said unto them, Children, how hard is it for those that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

It is easier to pass a cable through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

But they were astonished even more, saying in themselves, Who then can save himself?

Then Jesus looking upon them said, For men it is impossible, but not for God because all things are possible for God.

Then Peter began to say unto him, Behold, we have left all and have followed thee.

And answering him, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, There is no one that has left house or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my sake and the gospel’s

who shall not receive one hundredfold now in this time: houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the world to come eternal life.

But many of the first shall be last; and of the last first.

¶ And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went before them; and they were amazed, and they followed him with fear. Then, taking the twelve aside again, he began to tell them what things would happen unto him,

saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the princes of the priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death and shall deliver him to the Gentiles,

and they shall mock him and shall scourge him and shall spit upon him and shall kill him; but the third day he shall rise again.

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou should do for us whatever we shall ask.

And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one at thy right hand and the other at thy left hand in thy glory.

Then Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask; can ye drink the cup that I drink? Or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and of the baptism that I am baptized with ye shall be baptized;

but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but it shall be given to those for whom it is prepared.

And when the ten heard it, they began to be angry against James and John.

But Jesus, calling unto them, said unto them, Ye know that those who are seen to be princes among the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those that are great among them wield power over them.

But it shall not be like this among you, for whosoever desires to make himself great among you shall be your servant;

and whosoever of you that desires to be first shall be slave of all.

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to serve and to give his life in ransom for many.

¶ And so they come to Jericho, and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.

And hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

And many told him to be silent, but he cried even more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

Then Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Have confidence, rise; he calls thee.

He, therefore, casting away his garment, rose and came to Jesus.

And Jesus, answering, said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And the blind man said unto him, Master, that I might receive my sight.

And Jesus said unto him, Go; thy faith has saved thee. And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus in the way.

And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.

And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.

And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.

But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.

And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,

But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,

Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:

And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:

But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.

But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judæa by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again.

And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.

And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.

But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

and they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.

And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,

but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,

saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:

and they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:

but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.

But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimæus, the son of Timæus, sat by the highway side begging.

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

And standing up, He *went from there to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan; crowds *gathered around Him again, and, according to His custom, He once more began to teach them.

And some Pharisees came up to Jesus, testing Him, and began to question Him whether it was lawful for a man to divorce a wife.

And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?”

And they said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”

But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote for you this commandment.

But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother,

and the two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one flesh.

What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

And in the house the disciples began questioning Him about this again.

And He *said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her;

and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery.”

And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them.

But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.

And as He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and began asking Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.

You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’”

And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.”

And looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.

And Jesus, looking around, *said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!”

And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus *answered again and *said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

And they were even more astonished, saying to Him, “Then who can be saved?”

Looking at them, Jesus *said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”

Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.”

Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake,

except one who will receive one hundred times as much now in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.

But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.”

And they were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him:

“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles.

And they will mock Him and spit on Him, and flog Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again.”

Then James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, *came up to Jesus, saying to Him, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”

And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

And they said to Him, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.”

But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

And they said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.

But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

And hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.

And calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.

But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;

and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Then they *came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road.

And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

And many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.” So they *called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage, get up! He is calling for you.”

And throwing off his outer garment, he jumped up and came to Jesus.

And Jesus answered him and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!”

And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.

And from there he set out and came to the region of Judea and the other side of the Jordan, and again crowds came together to him. And again, as he was accustomed to do, he began to teach them.

And they asked him if it was permitted for a man to divorce his wife, in order to test him.

And he answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?”

So they said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.”

But Jesus said to them, “He wrote this commandment for you because of your hardness of heart.

But from the beginning of creation ‘he made them male and female.

Because of this a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh,’ so that they are no longer two but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined together, man must not separate.”

And in the house again the disciples began to ask him about this.

And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.

And if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

And they were bringing young children to him so that he could touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant, and said to them, “Let the young children come to me. Do not forbid them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Truly I say to you, whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a young child will never enter into it.”

And after taking them into his arms, he blessed them, placing his hands on them.

And as he was setting out on his way, one individual ran up and knelt down before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do so that I will inherit eternal life?”

So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth.”

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all that you have, and give the proceeds to the poor—and you will have treasure in heaven—and come, follow me.”

But he looked gloomy at the statement and went away sorrowful, because he had many possessions.

And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who possess wealth to enter into the kingdom of God!”

And the disciples were astounded at his words. But Jesus answered and said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter into the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of God.”

And they were very astounded, saying to one another, “And who can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “With human beings it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

Peter began to say to him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed you.”

Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields on account of me and on account of the gospel

who will not receive a hundred times as much now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, together with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.

But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Now they were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going on ahead of them. And they were astounded, but those who were following him were afraid. And taking aside the twelve again, he began to tell them the things that were about to happen to him:

“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles.

And they will mock him and spit on him and flog him and kill him, and after three days he will rise.”

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask you.”

And he said to them, “What do you want that I do for you?”

So they said to him, “Grant to us that we may sit one at your right hand and one at your left in your glory.”

But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

And they said to him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup that I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with,

but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

And when they heard this, the ten began to be indignant about James and John.

And Jesus called them to himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their people in high positions exercise authority over them.

But it is not like this among you! But whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

and whoever wants to be most prominent among you must be the slave of all.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

And they came to Jericho. And as he was setting out from Jericho along with his disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, was sitting beside the road.

And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

And many people warned him that he should be quiet. But he was crying out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man and said to him, “Have courage! Get up! He is calling you.”

And he threw off his cloak, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

And Jesus answered him and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may regain my sight.”

And Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has healed you.” And immediately he regained his sight and began to follow him on the road.

Then he left Capernaum and went southward to the Judean borders and into the area east of the Jordan River. And as always there were the crowds; and as usual he taught them.

Some Pharisees came and asked him, “Do you permit divorce?” Of course they were trying to trap him.

“What did Moses say about divorce?” Jesus asked them.

“He said it was all right,” they replied. “He said that all a man has to do is write his wife a letter of dismissal.”

“And why did he say that?” Jesus asked. “I’ll tell you why—it was a concession to your hardhearted wickedness.

But it certainly isn’t God’s way. For from the very first he made man and woman to be joined together permanently in marriage; therefore a man is to leave his father and mother,

and he and his wife are united so that they are no longer two, but one.

And no man may separate what God has joined together.”

Later, when he was alone with his disciples in the house, they brought up the subject again.

He told them, “When a man divorces his wife to marry someone else, he commits adultery against her.

And if a wife divorces her husband and remarries, she, too, commits adultery.”

Once when some mothers were bringing their children to Jesus to bless them, the disciples shooed them away, telling them not to bother him.

But when Jesus saw what was happening he was very much displeased with his disciples and said to them, “Let the children come to me, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as they. Don’t send them away!

I tell you as seriously as I know how that anyone who refuses to come to God as a little child will never be allowed into his Kingdom.”

Then he took the children into his arms and placed his hands on their heads and he blessed them.

As he was starting out on a trip, a man came running to him and knelt down and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to get to heaven?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good!

But as for your question—you know the commandments: don’t kill, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t cheat, respect your father and mother.”

“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve never once broken a single one of those laws.”

Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. “You lack only one thing,” he told him; “go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor—and you shall have treasure in heaven—and come, follow me.”

Then the man’s face fell, and he went sadly away, for he was very rich.

Jesus watched him go, then turned around and said to his disciples, “It’s almost impossible for the rich to get into the Kingdom of God!”

This amazed them. So Jesus said it again: “Dear children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God.

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”

The disciples were incredulous! “Then who in the world can be saved, if not a rich man?” they asked.

Jesus looked at them intently, then said, “Without God, it is utterly impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

Then Peter began to mention all that he and the other disciples had left behind. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said.

And Jesus replied, “Let me assure you that no one has ever given up anything—home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or property—for love of me and to tell others the Good News,

who won’t be given back, a hundred times over, homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—with persecutions! “All these will be his here on earth, and in the world to come he shall have eternal life.

But many people who seem to be important now will be the least important then; and many who are considered least here shall be greatest there.”

Now they were on the way to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking along ahead; and as the disciples were following they were filled with terror and dread. Taking them aside, Jesus once more began describing all that was going to happen to him when they arrived at Jerusalem.

“When we get there,” he told them, “I, the Messiah, will be arrested and taken before the chief priests and the Jewish leaders, who will sentence me to die and hand me over to the Romans to be killed.

They will mock me and spit on me and flog me with their whips and kill me; but after three days I will come back to life again.”

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him in a low voice. “Master,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.”

“What is it?” he asked.

“We want to sit on the thrones next to yours in your Kingdom,” they said, “one at your right and the other at your left!”

But Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I must drink from? Or to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?”

“Oh, yes,” they said, “we are!” And Jesus said, “You shall indeed drink from my cup and be baptized with my baptism,

but I do not have the right to place you on thrones next to mine. Those appointments have already been made.”

When the other disciples discovered what James and John had asked, they were very indignant.

So Jesus called them to him and said, “As you know, the kings and great men of the earth lord it over the people;

but among you it is different. Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.

And whoever wants to be greatest of all must be the slave of all.

For even I, the Messiah, am not here to be served, but to help others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.”

And so they reached Jericho. Later, as they left town, a great crowd was following. Now it happened that a blind beggar named Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road as Jesus was going by.

When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus from Nazareth was near, he began to shout out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

“Shut up!” some of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted the louder, again and again, “O Son of David, have mercy on me!”

When Jesus heard him, he stopped there in the road and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “You lucky fellow,” they said, “come on, he’s calling you!”

Bartimaeus yanked off his old coat and flung it aside, jumped up and came to Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “O Teacher,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”

And Jesus said to him, “All right, it’s done. Your faith has healed you.” And instantly the blind man could see and followed Jesus down the road!

From there he went to the area of Judea across the Jordan. A crowd of people, as was so often the case, went along, and he, as he so often did, taught them. Pharisees came up, intending to give him a hard time. They asked, “Is it legal for a man to divorce his wife?”

Jesus said, “What did Moses command?”

They answered, “Moses gave permission to fill out a certificate of dismissal and divorce her.”

Jesus said, “Moses wrote this command only as a concession to your hardhearted ways. In the original creation, God made male and female to be together. Because of this, a man leaves father and mother, and in marriage he becomes one flesh with a woman—no longer two individuals, but forming a new unity. Because God created this organic union of the two sexes, no one should desecrate his art by cutting them apart.”

When they were back home, the disciples brought it up again. Jesus gave it to them straight: “A man who divorces his wife so he can marry someone else commits adultery against her. And a woman who divorces her husband so she can marry someone else commits adultery.” * * *

The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.

As he went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?”

Jesus said, “Why are you calling me good? No one is good, only God. You know the commandments: Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t cheat, honor your father and mother.”

He said, “Teacher, I have—from my youth—kept them all!”

Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He said, “There’s one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.”

The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.

Looking at his disciples, Jesus said, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who ‘have it all’ to enter God’s kingdom?” The disciples couldn’t believe what they were hearing, but Jesus kept on: “You can’t imagine how difficult. I’d say it’s easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for the rich to get into God’s kingdom.”

That got their attention. “Then who has any chance at all?” they asked.

Jesus was blunt: “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it.”

Peter tried another angle: “We left everything and followed you.”

Jesus said, “Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land—whatever—because of me and the Message will lose out. They’ll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life! This is once again the Great Reversal: Many who are first will end up last, and the last first.”

Back on the road, they set out for Jerusalem. Jesus had a head start on them, and they were following, puzzled and not just a little afraid. He took the Twelve and began again to go over what to expect next. “Listen to me carefully. We’re on our way up to Jerusalem. When we get there, the Son of Man will be betrayed to the religious leaders and scholars. They will sentence him to death. Then they will hand him over to the Romans, who will mock and spit on him, give him the third degree, and kill him. After three days he will rise alive.”

James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came up to him. “Teacher, we have something we want you to do for us.”

“What is it? I’ll see what I can do.”

“Arrange it,” they said, “so that we will be awarded the highest places of honor in your glory—one of us at your right, the other at your left.”

Jesus said, “You have no idea what you’re asking. Are you capable of drinking the cup I drink, of being baptized in the baptism I’m about to be plunged into?”

“Sure,” they said. “Why not?” Jesus said, “Come to think of it, you will drink the cup I drink, and be baptized in my baptism. But as to awarding places of honor, that’s not my business. There are other arrangements for that.”

When the other ten heard of this conversation, they lost their tempers with James and John. Jesus got them together to settle things down. “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around,” he said, “and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.” * * *

They spent some time in Jericho. As Jesus was leaving town, trailed by his disciples and a parade of people, a blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting alongside the road. When he heard that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by, he began to cry out, “Son of David, Jesus! Mercy, have mercy on me!” Many tried to hush him up, but he yelled all the louder, “Son of David! Mercy, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped in his tracks. “Call him over.” They called him. “It’s your lucky day! Get up! He’s calling you to come!” Throwing off his coat, he was on his feet at once and came to Jesus.

Jesus said, “What can I do for you?” The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

“On your way,” said Jesus. “Your faith has saved and healed you.” In that very instant he recovered his sight and followed Jesus down the road.

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.

The Pharisees came to test Him, asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

He answered them, “What did Moses command you?”

They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and to divorce her.”

Jesus answered them, “Due to the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.

But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’

‘For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife,

and the two shall be one flesh.’ So then they are no longer two, but one flesh.

What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.”

In the house His disciples asked Him concerning this matter again.

He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.

And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

They brought young children to Him, that He might touch them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

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.

Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall not enter it.”

And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.

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?”

He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good, except God alone.

You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother. ”

He answered Him, “Teacher, all these have I observed from my youth.”

Then Jesus, looking upon him, loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. And come, take up the cross and follow Me.”

He was saddened by that word, and he went away grieving. For he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

The disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

They were astonished beyond measure, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God. For with God all things are possible.”

Peter began to say to Him, “Look, we have left everything and have followed You.”

Jesus answered, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left a house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake,

who shall not receive a hundred times as much now in this age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, with persecution, and in the age to come, eternal life.

But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. And they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Again, He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what would happen to Him,

saying, “Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death and hand Him over to the Gentiles.

They will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. Then after three days He will rise.”

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want that whatever we may ask, You would do for us.”

He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

They said to Him, “Grant us to sit, one at Your right hand and the other at Your left hand, in Your glory.”

But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink and be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

They said to Him, “We can.” Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink and be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.

But to sit at My right hand or at My left hand is not Mine to grant. It is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

When the ten heard it, they began to be very displeased with James and John.

But Jesus called them together, and said, “You know that those who are appointed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

But it shall not be so among you. Whoever would be great among you must be your servant,

and whoever among you would be greatest must be servant of all.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Then they came to Jericho. And as He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat along the way begging.

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Many ordered him to keep silent. But he cried out even more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. So they called the blind man, saying, “Be of good comfort. Rise, He is calling you.”

Throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

Jesus answered him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabbi, that I might receive my sight.”

Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the way.

Then Jesus left that place and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered around him again. And again, as was his custom, he began to teach them.

And Pharisees came up and asked him if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife, in order to test him.

In response he · said to them, “What did Moses command you?”

They · said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.”

· But Jesus said to them, “Because of · your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. ·

But from the beginning of creation, ‘male and female’ he made them.

‘For this reason a man shall leave · his father and · mother and be joined to · his wife,

and the two shall be one flesh.’ So no longer are they two, but one flesh.

Therefore what · God has joined together, let not man divide.”

And in the house, the disciples were again questioning him about this matter.

And he said to them, “Whoever divorces · his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.

And if she, after divorcing · her husband, marries another man, she commits adultery.”

And people were bringing to him children so that he could touch them, but his disciples rebuked them.

But when Jesus saw it, · he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me. Do not prevent them, · for of such is the kingdom of God.

I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a child will never enter it.”

And taking them into his arms, he blessed them, laying his hands on them.

And as he was going out on the road, a man ran up, and kneeling before him, asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

· But Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—· God.

You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor · your father and · mother.’”

And the man said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.”

· But Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing—go, sell whatever you have and give the money to the poor; then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.”

· Disheartened by the saying, the man went away grieving; for he had many possessions.

And looking around, · Jesus said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those · who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God.”

The · disciples were shocked at · his words. · But Jesus, responding again, said to them, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

They · were even more astonished, saying to themselves, “Then who is able to be saved?”

Looking at them, · Jesus said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with · God.”

Peter started to speak · to him, “Well, we have left everything and have followed you.”

Jesus said, · “I tell you the truth, there is no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel

who will not receive one hundredfold now in · this present time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, with persecutions—and in the coming age, · eternal life.

But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going on ahead of them. · · They were filled with awe, but those who followed behind were afraid. And taking the twelve aside again, he began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him:

“Listen, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the ruling priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles.

And they will mock him, and spit on him, and flog him, and kill him; but after three days he will rise.”

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”

And they said to him, “Give us permission to sit, one on your right and one on your left, in · your glory.”

· But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

They · said to him, “We are able.” · And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;

· but to sit on my right or on my left is not mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

And hearing this, the ten began to be indignant at James and John.

And calling them to him, · Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and · their leaders domineer over them.

But it is not to be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,

and whoever would be first among you must be servant of all.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give · his life as a ransom for many.”

And they came to Jericho. And as he was going out from Jericho with · his disciples and a considerable crowd, a blind beggar, Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road.

And hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me!”

And many were sternly telling him to be quiet; but all the more he kept crying out, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

And Jesus stopped · and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage! Get up! He is calling you.”

And throwing aside · his cloak, he jumped to his feet and came to · Jesus.

And answering him, · Jesus said, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, that I might see again.”

And · Jesus said to him, “Go, · your faith has healed you.” And immediately he regained his sight and began following him on the way.

Yeshua left there and went into the territory of Judea along the other side of the Jordan River. Crowds gathered around him again, and he taught them as he usually did.

Some Pharisees came to test him. They asked, “Can a husband divorce his wife?”

Yeshua answered them, “What command did Moses give you?”

They said, “Moses allowed a man to give his wife a written notice to divorce her.”

Yeshua said to them, “He wrote this command for you because you’re heartless.

But God made them male and female in the beginning, at creation.

That’s why a man will leave his father and mother and will remain united with his wife,

and the two will be one. So they are no longer two but one.

Therefore, don’t let anyone separate what God has joined together.”

When they were in a house, the disciples asked him about this.

He answered them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman is committing adultery.

If a wife divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery.”

Some people brought little children to Yeshua to have him hold them. But the disciples told the people not to do that.

When Yeshua saw this, he became irritated. He told them, “Don’t stop the children from coming to me. Children like these are part of the kingdom of God.

I can guarantee this truth: Whoever doesn’t receive the kingdom of God as a little child receives it will never enter it.”

Yeshua put his arms around the children and blessed them by placing his hands on them.

As Yeshua was coming out to the road, a man came running to him and knelt in front of him. He asked Yeshua, “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”

Yeshua said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

You know the commandments: Never murder. Never commit adultery. Never steal. Never give false testimony. Never cheat. Honor your father and mother.”

The man replied, “Teacher, I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was a boy.”

Yeshua looked at him and loved him. He told him, “You’re still missing one thing. Sell everything you have. Give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then follow me!”

When the man heard that, he looked unhappy and went away sad, because he owned a lot of property.

Yeshua looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for rich people to enter the kingdom of God!”

The disciples were stunned by his words. But Yeshua said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

This amazed his disciples more than ever. They asked each other, “Who, then, can be saved?”

Yeshua looked at them and said, “It’s impossible for people to save themselves, but it’s not impossible for God to save them. Everything is possible for God.”

Then Peter spoke up, “We’ve given up everything to follow you.”

Yeshua said, “I can guarantee this truth: Anyone who gave up his home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or fields because of me and the Good News

will certainly receive a hundred times as much here in this life. They will certainly receive homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields, along with persecutions. But in the world to come they will receive eternal life.

But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Yeshua and his disciples were on their way to Jerusalem. Yeshua was walking ahead of them. His disciples were shocked that he was going to Jerusalem. The others who followed were afraid. Once again he took the twelve apostles aside. He began to tell them what was going to happen to him.

“We’re going to Jerusalem. There the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the experts in Moses’ Teachings. They will condemn him to death and hand him over to foreigners.

They will make fun of him, spit on him, whip him, and kill him. But after three days he will come back to life.”

James and John, sons of Zebedee, went to Yeshua. They said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do us a favor.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked them.

They said to him, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

Yeshua said, “You don’t realize what you’re asking. Can you drink the cup that I’m going to drink? Can you be baptized with the baptism that I’m going to receive?”

“We can,” they told him. Yeshua told them, “You will drink the cup that I’m going to drink. You will be baptized with the baptism that I’m going to receive.

But I don’t have the authority to grant you a seat at my right or left. Those positions have already been prepared for certain people.”

When the other ten apostles heard about it, they were irritated with James and John.

Yeshua called the apostles and said, “You know that the acknowledged rulers of nations have absolute power over people and their officials have absolute authority over people.

But that’s not the way it’s going to be among you. Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant.

Whoever wants to be most important among you will be a slave for everyone.

It’s the same way with the Son of Man. He didn’t come so that others could serve him. He came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many people.”

Then they came to Jericho. As Yeshua, his disciples, and many people were leaving Jericho, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road.

When he heard that Yeshua from Nazareth was passing by, he began to shout, “Yeshua, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The people told him to be quiet. But he shouted even louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Yeshua stopped and said, “Call him!” They called the blind man and told him, “Cheer up! Get up! He’s calling you.”

The blind man threw off his coat, jumped up, and went to Yeshua.

Yeshua asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see again.”

Yeshua told him, “Go, your faith has made you well.” At once he could see again, and he followed Yeshua on the road.

He set out from there and went into the district of Judea [and] across the Jordan. Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom, he again taught them.

The Pharisees approached and asked, “Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?” They were testing him.

He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?”

They replied, “Moses permitted him to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her.”

But Jesus told them, “Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment.

But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother [and be joined to his wife],

and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”

In the house the disciples again questioned him about this.

He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her;

and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.

When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.”

Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.

You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’”

He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.”

Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to pass through [the] eye of [a] needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”

Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.”

Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel

who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come.

But many that are first will be last, and [the] last will be first.”

They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went ahead of them. They were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he began to tell them what was going to happen to him.

“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles

who will mock him, spit upon him, scourge him, and put him to death, but after three days he will rise.”

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”

He replied, “What do you wish [me] to do for you?”

They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.”

Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

They said to him, “We can.” Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized;

but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.”

When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.

Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt.

But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;

whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.

For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

They came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging.

On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”

And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me.”

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take courage; get up, he is calling you.”

He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.

Jesus said to him in reply, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man replied to him, “Master, I want to see.”

Jesus told him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

Setting out from there, Jesus *went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan; crowds *gathered to Him again, and, as He was accustomed, He once more began to teach them.

And some Pharisees came up to Jesus, testing Him, and began questioning Him whether it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife.

And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?”

They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send his wife away.”

But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.

But from the beginning of creation, God created them male and female.

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother,

and the two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Therefore, what God has joined together, no person is to separate.”

And in the house the disciples again began questioning Him about this.

And He *said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her;

and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery.”

And they were bringing children to Him so that He would touch them; but the disciples rebuked them.

But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.

As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do so that I may inherit eternal life?”

But Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.

You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not give false testimony, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’”

And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth.”

Looking at him, Jesus showed love to him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

But he was deeply dismayed by these words, and he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.

And Jesus, looking around, *said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!”

And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus responded again and *said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

And they were even more astonished, and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?”

Looking at them, Jesus *said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”

Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and have followed You.”