Matthew 11
1 When Jesus had finished giving instructions to his twelve disciples, he left to go and teach and speak publicly in the nearby towns.
And it happened that when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.
2 While John was in prison he heard what the Messiah was doing, so he sent his disciples
Now when John heard in prison the works of the Christ, he sent his disciples
3 to ask on his behalf, “Are you the one we were expecting to come, or should we continue to look for someone else?”
and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?"
4 Jesus answered them, “Go back and tell John what you hear and what you see.
And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
5 The blind can see, the crippled can walk, the lepers are healed, the deaf can hear, the dead are resurrected, and the poor hear the good news.
the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
6 Blessed are those who don't reject me!”
And blessed is he who is not offended by me."
7 As they left, Jesus began to talk to the crowds about John. “What were you expecting to see when you went out into the desert? A reed tossed about by the wind?
And as these went their way, Jesus began to say to the crowds concerning John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
8 So what did you go to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? People dressed like that live in kings' palaces.
But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Look, those who wear soft things are in kings' houses.
9 So what did you go to see then? A prophet? Yes, and I tell you he is much more than a prophet!
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
10 He's the one this Scripture was written about: ‘I'm sending my messenger on ahead of you. He will prepare your way for you.’
This is the one of whom it is written, 'Look, I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'
11 I tell you the truth, that among humanity there's no one greater than John the Baptist, but even the least important in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.
Truly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12 From the time of John the Baptist up till now the kingdom of heaven continues to be under attack and violent people are trying to seize it by force.
And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent are taking it by force.
13 For all the prophets and the law spoke for God until John came.
For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14 If you're prepared to believe it, he is Elijah, the one who was expected to come.
And if you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come.
15 Anybody with ears should be listening!
He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
16 What shall I compare this generation to? It's like children sitting in the market places shouting to each other,
"But to what should I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions
17 ‘We played the flute for you and you didn't dance; we sang sad songs and you didn't cry.’
and say, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance. We wailed in mourning, and you did not mourn.'
18 John didn't come feasting and drinking, so people say, ‘He's devil-possessed!’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'
19 On the other hand the Son of man came and did feast and drink, and people say, ‘Look, he's greedy and drinks too much; he's a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by what it does…”
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is justified by her children."
20 Then he began to reprimand the towns where he'd done most of his miracles because they had not repented.
Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.
21 “Shame on you, Korazin! Shame on you, Bethsaida! If the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which happened among you, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago.
"Woe to you, Chorazin. Woe to you, Bethsaida. For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22 But I tell you that on the Day of Judgment it will be better for Tyre and Sidon than it will for you!
But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
23 And what about you, Capernaum? Will you be exalted to heaven? No, you'll go down to Hades! If the miracles had been performed in Sodom which happened among you, Sodom would still be here today. (Hadēs g86)
And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will be brought down to hell. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until this day. (Hadēs g86)
24 But I tell you that on the Day of Judgment it will be better for Sodom than it will for you!”
But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, on the day of judgment, than for you."
25 Then Jesus prayed, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for you've hidden these things from the clever and sophisticated. Instead you've revealed them to ordinary people.
At that time, Jesus answered, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children.
26 Yes, Father, you were pleased to do this!
Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.
27 Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father, and no one really understands the Son, except the Father, and no one really understands the Father, except the Son, and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.
28 Come to me, all of you who struggle and who are burdened down. I will give you rest.
"Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Accept my yoke, and learn from me. For I am kind and I have a humble heart, and in me you will find the rest you need.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is gentle, and my burden is light.”
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
