by reason of the hardness of your
heart permitted you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it
was not so.

19:9. And I say to you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, except
it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and
he that shall marry her that is put away, committeth adultery.

Except it be, etc... In the case of fornication, that is, of adultery,
the wife may be put away: but even then the husband cannot marry another
as long as the wife is living.

19:10. His disciples say unto him: If the case of a man with his wife be
so, it is not expedient to marry.

19:11. Who said to them: All men take not this word, but they to whom it
is given.

All men take not this word... That is, all receive not the gift of
living singly and chastely, unless they pray for the grace of God to
enable them to live so, and for some it may be necessary to that end to
fast as well as pray: and to those it is given from above.

19:12. For there are eunuchs, who were born so from their mothers womb:
and there are eunuchs, who were made so by men: and there are eunuchs,
who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can
take, let him take it.

There are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs, for the kingdom of
heaven... This text is not to be taken in the literal sense; but means,
that there are such, who have taken a firm and commendable resolution of
leading a single and chaste life, in order to serve God in a more
perfect state than those who marry: as St. Paul clearly shews. 1 Cor. 7.
37, 38.

19:13. Then were little children presented to him, that he should impose
hands upon them and pray. And the disciples rebuked them.

19:14. But Jesus said to them: Suffer the little children, and forbid
them not to come to me: for the kingdom of heaven is for such.

19:15. And when he had imposed hands upon them, he departed from thence.

19:16. And behold one came and said to him: Good master, what good shall
I do that I may have life everlasting?

19:17. Who said to him: Why askest thou me concerning good? One is good,
God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

19:18. He said to him: Which? And Jesus said: Thou shalt do no murder,
Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not
bear false witness.

19:19. Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself.

19:20. The young man saith to him: All t