1When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
2Now when John heard in prison about the works of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples
3and said to him, “Are you the Coming One, or should we expect another?”
4And Jesus answered them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see:
5the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news preached to them.
6And blessed is anyone who is not offended by me.”
7As they were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about 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 dressed in soft clothing? Look, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
9Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
10This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’
11Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence, and violent men are seizing it.
13For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
14And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come.
15He who has ears, let him hear.
16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to their companions,
17saying: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
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, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her works.”
20Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.
21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
23And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24But I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
25At that time Jesus declared, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and have revealed them to little children.
26Yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
27All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, nor does anyone know the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
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