1 ¶ And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished giving commandments to his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and to 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 N ow when John had heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

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

3 a nd said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

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

4 J esus answered and said unto them, Go and tell John those things which you hear and see:

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

5 T he blind receive their sight, and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel 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 he who is not 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 ¶ And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with 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 did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.

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 did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say unto 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 F or this 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 unto you, Among those that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist; notwithstanding, he that is least 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 F rom the days of John the Baptist until now, life is given unto the kingdom of the heavens, and the valiant take hold of 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 prophesied until 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 that Elijah who was 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 ¶ But unto whom shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets and shouting unto their fellows

“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 a nd saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

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 came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a devil.

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

19 T he Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is 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 he began to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done because they repented not:

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 unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago 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 unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment 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, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to Hades, for if the mighty works which have been done in thee had been done in those of Sodom, it would have 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 T herefore I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment 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 ¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I praise thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and understanding and hast revealed them unto children.

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 E ven so, Father, for thus it was pleasing in thy sight.

Yes, Father, it was good in Your sight.

27 A ll things are delivered unto me of my Father, and no one has known the Son but the Father, neither has anyone known the Father except the Son and he unto whom the Son will reveal him.

“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 unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, 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 of me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and ye shall find rest for 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.”