14
The Pharisees, who love money, heard all this and were making sarcastic remarks about him.
15
So Jesus said to them, "You try to justify your actions in front of people. But God knows what's in your hearts. What is important to humans is disgusting to God.
16
"Moses' Teachings and the Prophets were [in force] until the time of John. Since that time, people have been telling the Good News about the kingdom of God, and everyone is trying to force their way into it.
17
It is easier for the earth and the heavens to disappear than to drop a comma from Moses' Teachings.
18
"Any man who divorces his wife to marry another woman is committing adultery. The man who marries a woman divorced in this way is committing adultery.
19
"There was a rich man who wore expensive clothes. Every day was like a party to him.
20
There was also a beggar named Lazarus who was regularly brought to the gate of the rich man's house.
21
Lazarus would have eaten any scraps that fell from the rich man's table. Lazarus was covered with sores, and dogs would lick them.
22
"One day the beggar died, and the angels carried him to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.
23
He went to hell, where he was constantly tortured. As he looked up, in the distance he saw Abraham and Lazarus.
24
He yelled, 'Father Abraham! Have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool off my tongue. I am suffering in this fire.'