16
The Law and the Prophets continued until John came: from that time the Good News of the Kingdom of God has been spreading, and all classes have been forcing their way into it.
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But it is easier for earth and sky to pass away than for one smallest detail of the Law to fall to the ground.
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Every man who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and he who marries her when so divorced from her husband commits adultery.
19
"There was once a rich man who habitually arrayed himself in purple and fine linen, and enjoyed a splendid banquet every day,
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while at his outer door there lay a beggar, Lazarus by name,
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covered with sores and longing to make a full meal off the scraps flung on the floor from the rich man's table. Nay, the dogs, too, used to come and lick his sores.
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"But in course of time the beggar died; and he was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and had a funeral.
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And in Hades, being in torment, he looked and saw Abraham in the far distance, and Lazarus resting in his arms.
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So he cried aloud, and said, "`Father Abraham, take pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'
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"`Remember, my child,' said Abraham, `that you had all your good things during your lifetime, and that Lazarus in like manner had his bad things. But, now and here, he is receiving consolation and you are in agony.
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And, besides all this, a vast chasm is immovably fixed between us and you, put there in order that those who desire to cross from this side to you may not be able, nor any be able to cross over from your side to us.'