1When Jesus had finished giving orders to his twelve disciples, he left that place to teach and to preach in their cities.
2Now John was in prison. When he heard about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples.
3They said to him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we look for another?"
5"The blind can see, and the lame walk. The lepers are made clean, and the deaf hear. The dead are raised up, and the good news is preached to the poor."
6"And blessed is anyone who is not made to stumble because of me."
7As they were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed shaken by the wind?"
8"But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Look, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses."
9"But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet."
10"For this is the one about whom it is written, 'Look, I send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare your way before you.'"
11"I tell you the truth: among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has risen. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is."
12"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force."
13"For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John."
14"And if you will receive it, this is Elias, who was to come."
15"Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear."
16"But what shall I compare this generation to? It is like children sitting in the markets and calling to their friends,"
17"saying, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance. We sang songs of sorrow for you, and you did not weep.'"
18"For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a devil.'"
19"The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a man who eats and drinks too much, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is shown to be right by her children."
20Then he began to reproach the cities where 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 that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes."
22"But I tell you, it will be easier for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you."
23"And you, Capernaum, lifted up to heaven, you will be brought down to hell. For if the mighty works that have been done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained to this day."
24"But I tell you, it will be easier for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."
25At that time Jesus said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and clever, and have shown them to little children."
26"Yes, Father, for this seemed good in your sight."
27"All things have been given to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father. And no one knows the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son chooses to show him."
28"Come to me, all you who work hard and carry heavy loads, and I will give you rest."
29"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
30"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."