19:9a

Now I tell you: The clause Now I tell you last occurred at 17:12a. Translate it here as you did there.

whoever divorces his wife: In this context, the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as whoever refers only to men.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

any man who divorces his wife (Good News Translation)
-or-
anyone who divorces his wife (New International Version)

except for sexual immorality: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as except for sexual immorality indicates that the only acceptable reason for divorce is sexual immorality.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

except for marital unfaithfulness (New International Version)
-or-
for any cause other than her unfaithfulness (Good News Translation)
-or-
and she has not committed adultery
-or-
and it was not because of adultery

In some languages, it will be more natural to put this clause at the end of 19:9. See the reordered example in the Display.

sexual immorality: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sexual immorality is a general term. It refers to any unacceptable form of sexual relations. Here Jesus used this word to refer to sexual relations outside of marriage.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

adultery
-or-
sexual relations with another man (New Century Version)

19:9b

and marries another woman: The subject of the verb marries is the same as the subject of “divorces” in 19:9a. It is “any man.” So the phrase another woman refers to “any other woman.”

commits adultery: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as commits adultery refers to the act of sexual relations with someone who is not your spouse. In the law of Moses, adultery was strictly forbidden.

General Comment on 19:9

The King James Version follows some Greek manuscripts that add a phrase to this verse, probably to make it similar to 5:32. This phrase could be translated as “and whoever marries the woman who was divorced commits adultery.” Most English versions do not follow these manuscripts and add this phrase. It is recommended that you do not include it either.

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