2 Some Phariseesa came to testb him, asking, “Is it lawfulc for a man to divorced his wife?”e

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

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

5 But Jesus told them, “He wrote this command for you because of the hardness of your hearts.i 6 But from the beginningj of creationk GodA made them male and female.B,l 7 For this reason a man will leavem his father and motherC 8 and the two will become one flesh.D,n So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”o

10 When they were in the house again, the disciples questioned him about this matter. 11 He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wifep and marriesq another commits adulteryr against her. 12 Also, if she divorces her husbands and marries another, she commits adultery.”

BLESSING THE CHILDREN

13 Peoplet were bringing little childrenu to him in order that he might touch them, but the disciples rebukedv them. 14 When Jesus saw it, he was indignantw and said to them, “Let the little children come to me.x Don’t stopy them, because the kingdom of Godz belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you,aa whoever does not receiveE,ab the kingdom of God like a little childac will never enter it.” 16 After taking them in his arms, he laid his hands onad them and blessedae them.