Matthew 19:5-15

5 and said, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?
6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
7 They said to him, "Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?"
8 He said to them, "It was because you were so hard-hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.
9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery."
10 His disciples said to him, "If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry."
11 But he said to them, "Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given.
12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can."
13 Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them;
14 but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs."
15 And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Other ancient authorities read [except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery]; others add at the end of the verse [and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.