Mark 10:7-25

7‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife,

8and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one,

9let no one split apart what God has joined together.”

10Later, when he was alone with his disciples in the house, they brought up the subject again.

11He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her.

12And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery.”

13One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

14When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.

15I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

16Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

17As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

18“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good.

19But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”

20“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”

21Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

23Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!”

24This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God.

25In fact, 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!”