1 A nd it came to pass when Jesus had finished commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and preach in their cities.

When Jesus finished telling His twelve followers what to do, He went away from there to teach and preach in their towns.

2 B ut John, having heard in the prison the works of the Christ, sent by his disciples,

When John the Baptist was in prison, he heard what Jesus was doing. He sent his followers.

3 a nd said to him, Art thou the coming ? or are we to wait for another?

They asked, “Are You the One Who was to come, or should we look for another?”

4 A nd Jesus answering said to them, Go, report to John what ye hear and see.

Jesus said to them, “Go and tell John what you see and hear.

5 B lind see and lame walk; lepers are cleansed, and deaf hear; and dead are raised, and poor have glad tidings preached to them:

The blind are made to see. Those who could not walk are walking. Those who have had bad skin diseases are healed. Those who could not hear are hearing. The dead are raised up to life and the Good News is preached to poor people.

6 a nd blessed is whosoever shall not be offended in me.

He is happy who is not ashamed of Me and does not turn away because of Me.” Jesus Tells about John the Baptist

7 B ut as they went, Jesus began to say to the crowds concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? a reed moved about by the wind?

As the followers of John the Baptist went away, Jesus began to tell the people about John. He said, “What did you go out to see in the desert? A small tree shaking in the wind?

8 B ut what went ye out to see? a man clothed in delicate raiment? behold, those who wear delicate things are in the houses of kings.

But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in good clothes? Those who are dressed in good clothes are in the houses of kings.

9 B ut what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say to you, and more than a prophet:

What did you go out to see? One who speaks for God? Yes, I tell you, he is more than one who speaks for God.

10 t his is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.

This is the man the Holy Writings spoke of when they said, ‘See! I will send My helper to carry news ahead of You. He will make Your way ready for You!’

11 V erily I say to you, that there is not arisen among born of women a greater than John the baptist. But he who is a little one in the kingdom of the heavens is greater than he.

For sure, I tell you, of those born of women, there is no one greater than John the Baptist. The least in the holy nation of heaven is greater than he.

12 B ut from the days of John the baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens is taken by violence, and violent seize on it.

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the holy nation of heaven has suffered very much. Fighting men try to take it.

13 F or all the prophets and the law have prophesied unto John.

All the early preachers and the Law told about it until the time of John.

14 A nd if ye will receive it, this is Elias, who is to come.

And if you will believe it, he is Elijah who was to come.

15 H e that has ears to hear, let him hear.

You have ears, then listen! Jesus Speaks Against Cities in Galilee

16 B ut to whom shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the markets, which, calling to their companions,

“What are the people of this day like? They are like children playing in the center of town where people gather. They call to their friends.

17 s ay, We have piped to you, and ye have not danced: we have mourned to you, and ye have not wailed.

They say, ‘We played music for you, but you did not dance. We showed sorrow in front of you, but you did not show sorrow.’

18 F or John has come neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a demon.

John came and did not eat or drink. They said, ‘He has a demon.’

19 T he Son of man has come eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a man eating and wine-drinking, a friend of tax-gatherers, and of sinners:—and wisdom has been justified by her children.

Then the Son of Man came and ate and drank. They said, ‘See! He eats too much and likes wine. He is a friend of men who gather taxes and of sinners!’ But wisdom shows itself to be right by what it does.”

20 T hen began he to reproach the cities in which most of his works of power had taken place, because they had not repented.

Then He began to say strong words against the cities where most of His powerful works were done. He spoke to them because they were not sorry for their sins and did not turn from them.

21 W oe to thee, Chorazin! woe to thee Bethsaida! for if the works of power which have taken place in you, had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, they had long ago repented in sackcloth and ashes.

“It is bad for you, city of Chorazin! It is bad for you, town of Bethsaida! For if the powerful works which were done in you had been done in the cities of Tyre and Sidon, they would have turned from their sins long ago. They would have shown their sorrow by putting on clothes made from hair and would have sat in ashes.

22 B ut I say to you, that it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in judgment-day than for you.

I tell you, it will be better for Tyre and Sidon on the day men stand before God and are told they are guilty, than for you.

23 A nd thou, Capernaum, who hast been raised up to heaven, shalt be brought down even to hades. For if the works of power which have taken place in thee, had taken place in Sodom, it had remained until this day.

“And Capernaum, are you to be lifted up into heaven? You will be taken down to hell. If the powerful works which were done in you had been done in the city of Sodom, it would be here to this day.

24 B ut I say to you, that it shall be more tolerable for land of Sodom in judgment-day than for thee.

But I say to you that it will be better for the land of Sodom on the day men stand before God and are told they are guilty, than for you.” Jesus Prays to His Father

25 A t that time, Jesus answering said, I praise thee, Father, Lord of the heaven and of the earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to babes.

At that time Jesus said, “Thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You hid these things from the wise and from those who have much learning. You have shown them to little children.

26 Y ea, Father, for thus has it been well-pleasing in thy sight.

Yes, Father, it was good in Your sight.

27 A ll things have been delivered to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son but the Father, nor does any one know the Father, but the Son, and he to whom the Son may be pleased to reveal.

“Everything has been given to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son but the Father. No one knows the Father but the Son, and those to whom the Son wants to make the Father known. Jesus Calls People to Follow Him

28 C ome to me, all ye who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

“Come to Me, all of you who work and have heavy loads. I will give you rest.

29 T ake my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest to your souls;

Follow My teachings and learn from Me. I am gentle and do not have pride. You will have rest for your souls.

30 f or my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

For My way of carrying a load is easy and My load is not heavy.”