The Rich Young Ruler

16 Just then someone came up and asked him,(A) “Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?” (B)

17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?”[a] he said to him. “There is only one who is good.[b] If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”(C)

18 “Which ones?” he asked him.

Jesus answered: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness;(D) 19 honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself.[c](E)

20 “I have kept all these,”[d] the young man told him. “What do I still lack?”

21 “If you want to be perfect,”[e] Jesus said to him, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor,(F) and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 When the young man heard that, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

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Footnotes

  1. 19:17 Other mss read “Why do you call me good?”
  2. 19:17 Other mss read “No one is good but one—God
  3. 19:18–19 Ex 20:12–16; Lv 19:18; Dt 5:16–20
  4. 19:20 Other mss add from my youth
  5. 19:21 Or complete

The Rich Young Ruler

16 (A)And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do so that I may obtain (B)eternal life?” 17 And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but (C)if you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 Then he *said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, (D)You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony; 19 (E)Honor your father and mother; and (F)You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man *said to Him, “All these I have kept; what am I still lacking?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be [a]complete, go and (G)sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have (H)treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 19:21 Or perfect