¹When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples , he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities .

²Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ , he sent two of his disciples

³and said to him , “Are you he who comes , or should we look for another ?”

⁴Jesus answered them , “ Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:

⁵the 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 .[#Isaiah 35:5; #Isaiah 61:1-4]

⁶Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me .”

⁷As these went their way , 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?

⁸But what did you go out to see ? A man in soft clothing? Behold , those who wear soft clothing are in kings ’ houses .

⁹But why did you go out ? To see a prophet ? Yes , I tell you , and much more than a prophet .

¹⁰For this is he , of whom it is written , ‘ Behold , I send my messenger before your face , who will prepare your way before you .’[#Malachi 3:1]

¹¹Most certainly I tell you , amongst those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptiser; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he .

¹²From the days of John the Baptiser until now , the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.[#11:12 or, plunder it.]

¹³For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John .

¹⁴If you are willing to receive it , this is Elijah , who is to come .

¹⁵He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

¹⁶“ But to what shall I compare this generation ? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions

¹⁷and say , ‘ We played the flute for you , and you didn’t dance . We mourned for you , and you didn’t lament .’

¹⁸For John came neither eating nor drinking , and they say , ‘ He has a demon .’

¹⁹The Son of Man came eating and drinking , and they say , ‘ Behold , a gluttonous man and a drunkard , a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children .”[#11:19 NU reads “actions” instead of “children”]

²⁰Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done , because they didn’t repent .

²¹“ 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 .

²²But I tell you , it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgement than for you .

²³You , Capernaum , who are exalted to heaven , you will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you , it would have remained until today .[#11:23 or, Hell]

²⁴But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgement, than for you .”

²⁵At that time , Jesus answered , “ I thank you , Father , Lord of heaven and earth , that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants .

²⁶Yes , Father , for so it was well-pleasing in your sight .

²⁷All 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 you who labour and are heavily burdened , and I will give you rest.

²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me , for I am gentle and humble in heart ; and you will find rest for your souls .

³⁰For my yoke is easy , and my burden is light .”