1. When Jesus had finished giving his twelve disciples these instructions, he went on from there to teach and to proclaim his message in their towns.

2. When John the Baptist heard in prison about the activities of Christ, he sent a message by his disciples,

3. asking him: "Are you the one who is to come or should we expect someone else?"

4. Jesus answered them, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:

5. the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are brought back to life and good news is reaching the poor.

6. And how fortunate is the one who does not take offense at me."

7. As the messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "When you went out to the desert, what did you expect to see? A reed swept by the wind?

8. What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? People who wear fine clothes live in palaces.

9. What did you actually go out to see? A prophet? Yes, indeed, and even more than a prophet.

10. He is the man of whom Scripture says: I send my messenger ahead of you to prepare the way before you.

11. I tell you this: no one greater than John the Baptist has come forward among the sons of women, and yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

12. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven is something to be conquered and the unyielding seize it.

13. Up to the time of John, there was only prophesy: all the prophets and the Law;

14. and if you believe me, John is this Elijah, whose coming was predicted.

15. Let anyone with ears listen!

16. Now, to what can I compare the people of this day? They are like children sitting in the marketplace, about whom their companions complain:

17. 'We played the flute for you but you would not dance. We sang a funeral-song but you would not cry!'

18. For John came fasting and people said: 'He is possessed.'

19. Then the Son of Man came, he ate and drank, and people said: 'Look at this man! A glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet the outcome will prove Wisdom to be right."

20. Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which he had performed most of his miracles, because the people there did not change their ways,

21. "Alas for you Chorazin and Bethsaida! If the miracles worked in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

22. But I assure you, for Tyre and Sidon it will be more bearable on the day of judgment than for you.

23. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? You will be thrown down to the place of the dead! For if the miracles which were performed in you had taken place in Sodom, it would still be there today!

24. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."

25. On that occasion Jesus said, "Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I praise you, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to simple people.

26. Yes, Father, this is what pleased you.

27. Everything has been entrusted 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.

28. Come to me, all you who work hard and who carry heavy burdens and I will refresh you.

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

30. For my yoke is good and my burden is light."





“Todas as graças que pedimos no nome de Jesus são concedidas pelo Pai eterno.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina