3
Then came some of the Pharisees to Him to put Him to the proof by the question, "Has a man a right to divorce his wife whenever he chooses?"
4
"Have you not read," He replied, "that He who made them `made them' from the beginning `male and female,
5
and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall be one'?
6
Thus they are no longer two, but `one'! What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."
7
"Why then," said they, "did Moses command the husband to give her `a written notice of divorce,' and so put her away?"
8
"Moses," He replied, "in consideration of the hardness of your nature permitted you to put away your wives, but it has not been so from the beginning.
9
And I tell you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except her unfaithfulness, and marries another woman, commits adultery."
10
"If this is the case with a man in relation to his wife," said the disciples to Him, "it is better not to marry."
11
"It is not every man," He replied, "who can receive this teaching, but only those on whom the grace has been bestowed.
12
There are men who from their birth have been disabled from marriage, others who have been so disabled by men, and others who have disabled themselves for the sake of the Kingdom of the Heavens. He who is able to receive this, let him receive it."
13
Then young children were brought to Him for Him to put His hands on them and pray; but the disciples interfered.