Matthew 19:1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, He left Galilee and went down to the region of Judea east of the Jordan River.
2 Large crowds followed Him there, and He healed their sick.
3 Some Pharisees came and tried to trap Him with this question: "Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?"
4 "Haven't you read the Scriptures?" Jesus replied. "They record that from the beginning 'God made them male and female.'
5 And He said, 'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.'
6 Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together."
7 "Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?" they asked.
8 Jesus replied, "Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended.
9 And I tell you this, whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery-unless his wife has been unfaithful. [And anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.]"
10 Jesus' disciples then said to Him, "If this is the case, it is better not to marry!"
11 "Not everyone can accept this statement," Jesus said. "Only those whom God helps.
12 Some are born as eunuchs, some have been made eunuchs by others, and some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let anyone accept this who can."
13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could lay His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering Him.
14 But Jesus said, "Let the children come to Me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children."
15 And He placed His hands on their heads and blessed them before He left.
16 Someone came to Jesus with this question: "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?"
17 "Why ask Me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. But to answer your question-if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments."
18 "Which ones?" the man asked. And Jesus replied: "'You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely.
19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
20 "I've obeyed all these commandments," the young man replied. "What else must I do?"
21 Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me."
22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
24 I'll say it again-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!"
25 The disciples were astounded. "Then who in the world can be saved?" they asked.
26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible."
27 Then Peter said to Him, "We've given up everything to follow You. What will we get?"
28 Jesus replied, "I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon His glorious throne, you who have been My followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for My sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.
30 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.
Math. 20:1 "For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard.
2 He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work.
3 "At nine o'clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing.
4 So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day.
5 So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at three o'clock he did the same thing.
6 "At five o'clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, 'Why haven't you been working today?'
7 "They replied, 'Because no one hired us.' "The landowner told them, 'Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.'
8 "That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first.
9 When those hired at five o'clock were paid, each received a full day's wage.
10 When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day's wage.
11 When they received their pay, they protested to the owner,
12 'Those people worked only one hour, and yet you've paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.'
13 "He answered one of them, 'Friend, I haven't been unfair! Didn't you agree to work all day for the usual wage?
14 Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you.
15 Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?'
16 "So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last."
17 As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to Him.
18 "Listen," He said, "we're going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence Him to die.
19 Then they will hand Him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day He will be raised from the dead."
20 Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor.
21 "What is your request?" He asked. She replied, "In Your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to You, one on Your right and the other on Your left."
22 But Jesus answered by saying to them, "You don't know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?" "Oh yes," they replied, "we are able!"
23 Jesus told them, "You will indeed drink from My bitter cup. But I have no right to say who will sit on My right or My left. My Father has prepared those places for the ones He has chosen."
24 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant.
25 But Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.
26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,
27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.
28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many."
29 As Jesus and the disciples left the town of Jericho, a large crowd followed behind.
30 Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
31 "Be quiet!" the crowd yelled at them. But they only shouted louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!"
32 When Jesus heard them, He stopped and called, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
33 "Lord," they said, "we want to see!"
34 Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed Him.
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Proverbs 7:1 Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands.
2 Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes.
3 Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.
4 Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family.
5 Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman, from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman.
6 While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain,
7 I saw some naive young men, and one in particular who lacked common sense.
8 He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman, strolling down the path by her house.
9 It was at twilight, in the evening, as deep darkness fell.
10 The woman approached him, seductively dressed and sly of heart.
11 She was the brash, rebellious type, never content to stay at home.
12 She is often in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner.
13 She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said,
14 "I've just made my peace offerings and fulfilled my vows.
15 You're the one I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are!
16 My bed is spread with beautiful blankets, with colored sheets of Egyptian linen.
17 I've perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let's drink our fill of love until morning. Let's enjoy each other's caresses,
19 for my husband is not home. He's away on a long trip.
20 He has taken a wallet full of money with him and won't return until later this month. "
21 So she seduced him with her pretty speech and enticed him with her flattery.
22 He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter. He was like a stag caught in a trap,
23 awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life.
24 So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words.
25 Don't let your hearts stray away toward her. Don't wander down her wayward path.
26 For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims.
27 Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death.
Prov. 8:1 Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice!
2 On the hilltop along the road, she takes her stand at the crossroads.
3 By the gates at the entrance to the town, on the road leading in, she cries aloud,
4 "I call to you, to all of you! I raise my voice to all people.
5 You simple people, use good judgment. You foolish people, show some understanding.
6 Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right,
7 for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception.
8 My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or crooked in it.
9 My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those with knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.
12 "I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.
13 All who fear the LORD will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.
14 Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine.
15 Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just decrees.
16 Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.
17 "I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.
18 I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice.
19 My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver!
20 I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice.
21 Those who love me inherit wealth. I will fill their treasuries.
22 "The LORD formed me from the beginning, before He created anything else.
23 I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began.
24 I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters.
25 Before the mountains were formed, before the hills, I was born-
26 before He had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil.
27 I was there when He established the heavens, when He drew the horizon on the oceans.
28 I was there when He set the clouds above, when He established springs deep in the earth.
29 I was there when He set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when He marked off the earth's foundations,
30 I was the architect at His side. I was His constant delight, rejoicing always in His presence.
31 And how happy I was with the world He created; how I rejoiced with the human family!
32 "And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don't ignore it.
34 Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home!
35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.
36 But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death."
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