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

Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.

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

And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples

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

and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

4 J esus said to them, “Go and tell John what you see and hear.

Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:

5 T he 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.

The blind see 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.

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

And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

7 A s 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?

As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

8 B ut 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.

But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.

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

But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.

10 T his 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!’

For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’

11 F or 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.

“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

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

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

13 A ll the early preachers and the Law told about it until the time of John.

For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

14 A nd if you will believe it, he is Elijah who was to come.

And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.

15 Y ou have ears, then listen! Jesus Speaks Against Cities in Galilee

He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

16 “ 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.

“But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions,

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

and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.’

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

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’

19 T hen 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.”

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.” Woe to the Impenitent Cities

20 T hen 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.

Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent:

21 “ 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.

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, 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.

22 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.

But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.

23 “ 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.

And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

24 B ut 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

But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.” Jesus Gives True Rest

25 A t 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.

At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.

26 Y es, Father, it was good in Your sight.

Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.

27 “ 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

All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

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

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

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

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30 F or My way of carrying a load is easy and My load is not heavy.”

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”