1After Jesus finished giving instructions to his twelve disciples, he left that place to teach and preach in the nearby towns.
2When John, who was in prison, heard about the works Christ was doing, he sent two of his disciples
3to ask Jesus, "Are you the one we've been expecting, or should we look for someone else?"
4Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:
5blind people are able to see, disabled people walk, those with leprosy are made clean, deaf people hear, dead people are raised to life, and the poor hear the good news.
6God blesses anyone who does not lose faith in me."
7As John’s messengers were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed waving in the wind?
8But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in expensive clothes? Look, those who wear expensive clothes live in kings' palaces.
9But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, he is much more than a prophet.
10This is the one the Scripture speaks about when it says: 'Look, I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'
11I tell you the truth, among all people ever born, no one has been greater than John the Baptizer. Yet the least important person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is.
12From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are trying to seize it.
13Because all the prophets and the Law spoke about these things until John came.
14If you are willing to accept it, John is Elijah, who was supposed to come.
15Anyone who has ears to hear should listen.
16"What can I compare this generation to? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces, calling out to their playmates,
17and saying, 'We played the flute for you, but you didn't dance. We sang sad songs, but you didn't mourn.'
18Because John came, not eating or drinking, and people say, 'He has a demon.'
19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and people say, 'Look, he's a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is proven right by its results."
20Then Jesus began to criticize the cities where he had done most of his miracles, because they had not changed their ways.
21"How terrible for you, Chorazin! How terrible for you, Bethsaida! If the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have changed their ways long ago, showing their sorrow by wearing sackcloth and sitting in ashes.
22But I tell you, on the day of judgment, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
23And you, Capernaum, lifted up to the sky, you will be brought down to the grave. For if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would still be standing today."
24But I tell you, on the day of judgment, it will be easier for the land of Sodom than for you.”
25At that time, Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have shown them to little children.
26Yes, Father, because this is what pleased you.
27My Father has given me everything. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28“Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest.
29Take my teaching upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives.
30For my teaching is easy to accept, and my load is light.”