Matthew 19:10-16 The Message (MSG)

10. Jesus’ disciples objected, “If those are the terms of marriage, we’re stuck. Why get married?”

11-12. But Jesus said, “Not everyone is mature enough to live a married life. It requires a certain aptitude and grace. Marriage isn’t for everyone. Some, from birth seemingly, never give marriage a thought. Others never get asked—or accepted. And some decide not to get married for kingdom reasons. But if you’re capable of growing into the largeness of marriage, do it.”

13-15. One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: “Let the children alone, don’t prevent them from coming to me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like these.” After laying hands on them, he left.

16. Another day, a man stopped Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

Matthew 19