Part 15

010:015 In solemn truth I tell you that no one who does not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will by any possibility enter it."

010:016 Then He took them in His arms and blessed them lovingly, one by one, laying His hands upon them.

010:017 As He went out to resume His journey, there came a man running up to Him, who knelt at His feet and asked, "Good Rabbi, what am I to do in order to inherit the Life of the Ages?"

010:018 "Why do you call me good?" asked Jesus in reply; "there is no one truly good except One--that is, God.

010:019 You know the Commandments--'Do not murder;' 'Do not commit adultery;' 'Do not steal;' 'Do not lie in giving evidence;' 'Do not defraud;' 'Honour thy father and thy mother.'"

010:020 "Rabbi," he replied, "all these Commandments I have carefully obeyed from my youth."

010:021 Then Jesus looked at him and loved him, and said, "One thing is lacking in you: go, sell all you possess and give the proceeds to the poor, and you shall have riches in Heaven; and come and be a follower of mine."

010:022 At these words his brow darkened, and he went away sad; for he was possessed of great wealth.

010:023 Then looking round on His disciples Jesus said, "With how hard a struggle will the possessors of riches enter the Kingdom of God!"

010:024 The disciples were amazed at His words. Jesus, however, said again, "Children, how hard a struggle is it for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God!

010:025 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God."

010:026 They were astonished beyond measure, and said to one another, "Who then *can* be saved?"

010:027 Jesus looking on them said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for everything is possible with God."

010:028 "Remember," said Peter to Him, "that we forsook everything and have become your followers."

010:029 "In solemn truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "that there is no one who has forsaken house or brothers or sisters, or mother or father, or children or lands, for my sake and for the sake of the Good News,

010:030 but will receive a hundred times as much now in this present life-- houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, lands-- and persecution with them--and in the coming age the Life of the Ages.

010:031 But many who are now first will be last, and the last, first."

010:032 They were still on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were full of wonder, and some, though they followed, did so with fear. Then, once more calling to Him the Twelve, He began to tell them what was about to happen to Him.

010:033 "See," He said, "we are going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the High Priests and the Scribes. They will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles;

010:034 they will insult Him in cruel sport, spit on Him, scourge Him, and put Him to death; but on the third day He will rise to life again."

010:035 Then James and John, the sons of Zabdi, came up to Him and said, "Rabbi, we wish you would grant us whatever request we make of you."

010:036 "What would you have me do for you?" He asked.

010:037 "Allow us," they replied, "to sit one at your right hand and the other at your left hand, in your glory."

010:038 "You know not," said He, "what you are asking. Are you able to drink out of the cup from which I am to drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am to be baptized?"

010:039 "We are able," they replied. "Out of the cup," said Jesus, "from which I am to drink you shall drink, and with the baptism with which I am to be baptized you shall be baptized;

010:040 but as to sitting at my right hand or at my left, that is not mine to give: it will be for those for whom it is reserved."

010:041 The other ten, hearing of it, were at first highly indignant with James and John.

010:042 Jesus, however, called them to Him and said to them, "You are aware how those who are deemed rulers among the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men make them feel their authority;