14
The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him.
15
Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.
16
“Until John the Baptist, the law of Moses and the messages of the prophets were your guides. But now the Good News of the Kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is eager to get in.
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But that doesn’t mean that the law has lost its force. It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the smallest point of God’s law to be overturned.
18
“For example, a man who divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery. And anyone who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.”
19
Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury.
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At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores.
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As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.
22
“Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried,
23
and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.
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“The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’