15
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16
And taking them up in his arms and putting
his hands upon them, he blessed them.
17
And as he was leaving to continue his way,
there came one running,
who kneeled before him and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18
And Jesus said unto him, Why dost thou call me good?
there is none good but one,
that is, God.
19
Thou knowest the commandments: Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20
And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these I have observed from my youth.
21
Then Jesus beholding him loved him and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell all that thou hast and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the
cross {Gr. stauros – stake}, and follow me taking up thy stake (if thy desire is to be perfect).
22
But he, saddened by this word, went away grieved, for he had great possessions.
23
Then Jesus, looking around, said unto his disciples, How hardly shall those that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
24
And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again and said unto them, Children, how hard is it for those that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
25
It is easier to pass a cable through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.