Matthew
11
- After Jesus had finished instructing his
twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of
Galilee.
- When John heard in prison what Christ was
doing, he sent his disciples
- to ask him, "Are you the one who was
to come, or should we expect someone else?"
- Jesus replied, "Go back and report to
John what you hear and see:
- The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those
who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good
news is preached to the poor.
- Blessed is the man who does not fall away
on account of me."
- As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began
to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert
to see? A reed swayed by the wind ?
- If not, what did you go out to see? A man
dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces.
- Then what did you go out to see? A prophet?
Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
- This is the one about whom it is written:
"'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before
you.'
- I tell you the truth: Among those born of
women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who
is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
- From the days of John the Baptist until now,
the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay
hold of it.
- For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied
until John.
- And if you are willing to accept it, he is
the Elijah who was to come.
- He who has ears, let him hear.
- "To what can I compare this generation?
They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
- "'We played the flute for you, and you
did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'
- For John came neither eating nor drinking,
and they say, 'He has a demon.'
- The Son of Man came eating and drinking,
and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors
and "sinners." 'But wisdom is proved right by her actions."
- Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in
which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.
- "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!
If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and
Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
- But I tell you, it will be more bearable
for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
- And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up
to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were
performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this
day.
- But I tell you that it will be more bearable
for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."
- At that time Jesus said, "I praise you,
Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from
the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
- Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
- "All things have been committed to me
by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the
Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
- "Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest.
- 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.
- For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
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