Mark

*He got up and went to the area of Judaea beyond the Jordan River. People came to him once more, and just like before, he taught them.

*The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked if it was allowed for a man to leave his wife, trying to get him to say something wrong.

*He replied and asked them, "What did Moses tell you to do?"

*They said, "Moses allowed writing a paper for ending the marriage and sending her away."

*And Jesus told them, He wrote that rule because your hearts are hard.

*But since the start, God created people as boys and girls.

*So that he can do this, a person should move away from their parents and be close to their partner instead.

*And the two become one flesh; therefore, they are not two separate beings anymore, but one flesh.

*So whatever God has connected, don't let people separate.

*In the house, his followers asked him once more about the topic.

*He says, "Anyone who leaves their spouse to marry someone else is committing adultery."

*If a woman leaves her husband and marries someone else, she is committing adultery.

*People brought little kids to Jesus for him to touch them, but his followers scolded the people who brought the kids.

*But when Jesus saw it, he was unhappy and told them to let the little kids come to him and don't stop them because the kingdom of God belongs to people like them.

*Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't accept God's kingdom like a small child won't be able to enter it."

*He held them close, placed his hands on them, and wished them well.

*Then, when Jesus went outside, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked, "Kind teacher, what must I do to live forever?"

*Jesus asked, "Why do you call me good?" Only one person is truly good - and that's God.

*You know the rules: Don't cheat on someone, Don't kill, Don't steal, Don't lie, Don't scam, Respect your parents.

*He replied, "Lord, I've followed all of these rules since I was young."

*Then, Jesus looked at him and loved him. He said, "You need one more thing: sell everything you have, give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then, come and carry the cross with me and follow me.

*He felt sad after hearing that and left feeling upset because he had many valuable things.

*Jesus glanced around and told his followers, "It's hard for wealthy people to enter God's kingdom."

*The disciples were surprised by what Jesus said. But Jesus replied again and asked them, "Children, is it difficult for those who rely on wealth to enter God's kingdom?"

*It's harder for a big camel to pass through a tiny needle hole, than for a very wealthy person to enter God's kingdom.

*They were extremely surprised, asking each other, Who, then, can be saved?

*Jesus said to them, "It's hard for people, but easy for God because God can do anything."

*Then Peter told him, "Look, we have left everything behind and followed you."

*And Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, no one has left their home, family members, parents, spouse, or kids, or land for my sake and the gospel's.

*But he will get a hundred times more now - homes, family members, and more, plus troubles; and in the future, everlasting life.

*However, those who are first might end up last, while those who are last could become first.

*They traveled together towards Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way. They were astonished and fearful as they continued on their journey. Then, Jesus gathered the twelve disciples and told them about the events that would happen to him.

*He said, "We're going to Jerusalem. There, the Son of Man will be handed over to the religious leaders, who will sentence Him to die, then give Him to the non-Jewish people."

*They will make fun of him, beat him, spit on him, and kill him. But on the third day, he will come back to life.

*James and John, Zebedee's sons, approached him, saying, "Lord, please do whatever we ask you to."

*He asked them, "What do you want me to do for you?"

*They asked him, "Let us sit with you, one on your right side and one on your left side, in your great honor."

*But Jesus told them, "You don't understand what you're asking. Can you drink from the same cup I do, and be baptized in the same way as me?"

*They replied, "We can." Jesus told them, "You will definitely drink from the same cup I drink from, and you will be baptized just like I am."

*But I can't choose who sits by me; it will be decided for those it's meant for.

*When the ten learned about it, they became very unhappy with James and John.

*But Jesus told them, "You understand that those who lead the non-Jews act like rulers over them, and the important ones have power over them."

*But don't do that among you: instead, if someone wants to be important among you, they should serve as a leader.

*Whoever among you wants to be the greatest, must serve everyone.

*Even Jesus didn't come to be served, but to serve others and gave his life to free many people.

*They reached Jericho, and Jesus left with his followers and many others. Nearby, sitting by the road and asking for help was a blind man named Bartimaeus, who was the son of Timaeus.

*When he learned it was Jesus from Nazareth, he shouted and said, "Jesus, Son of David, please be kind to me."

*People told him to be quiet, but he shouted even louder, "Son of David, please show mercy!"

*Jesus stopped and told them to bring the blind man. They called out to the blind man, telling him not to worry and to stand up because Jesus was calling for him.

*He threw off his clothes and stood up, then went to Jesus.

*Jesus asked the man what he wanted Him to do for him. The man replied, "Lord, I want to see."

*Jesus told him, "Go on your way because your strong belief made you well." Right away, he could see again and began following Jesus.