Matthew, 11

1. When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples he moved on from there to teach and preach in their towns.

1. And when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

2. Now John had heard in prison what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him,

2. Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples

3. 'Are you the one who is to come, or are we to expect someone else?'

3. and said to him, "Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?"

4. Jesus answered, 'Go back and tell John what you hear and see;

4. And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:

5. the blind see again, and the lame walk, those suffering from virulent skin-diseases are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life and the good news is proclaimed to the poor;

5. the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

6. and blessed is anyone who does not find me a cause of falling.'

6. And blessed is he who takes no offense at me."

7. As the men were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the people about John, 'What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No?

7. As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind?

8. Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Look, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces.

8. Why then did you go out? To see a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings' houses.

9. Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet:

9. Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

10. he is the one of whom scripture says: Look, I am going to send my messenger in front of you to prepare your way before you.

10. This is he of whom it is written, `Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.'

11. 'In truth I tell you, of all the children born to women, there has never been anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.

11. Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

12. Since John the Baptist came, up to this present time, the kingdom of Heaven has been subjected to violence and the violent are taking it by storm.

12. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and men of violence take it by force.

13. Because it was towards John that all the prophecies of the prophets and of the Law were leading;

13. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John;

14. and he, if you will believe me, is the Elijah who was to return.

14. and if you are willing to accept it, he is Eli'jah who is to come.

15. Anyone who has ears should listen!

15. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

16. 'What comparison can I find for this generation? It is like children shouting to each other as they sit in the market place:

16. "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places and calling to their playmates,

17. We played the pipes for you, and you wouldn't dance; we sang dirges, and you wouldn't be mourners.

17. `We piped to you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.'

18. 'For John came, neither eating nor drinking, and they say, "He is possessed."

18. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, `He has a demon';

19. The 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 justified by her deeds.'

19. the Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, `Behold, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."

20. Then he began to reproach the towns in which most of his miracles had been worked, because they refused to repent.

20. Then he began to upbraid the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.

21. 'Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

21. "Woe to you, Chora'zin! woe to you, Beth-sa'ida! 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.

22. Still, I tell you that it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on Judgement Day than for you.

22. But I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.

23. And as for you, Capernaum, did you want to be raised as high as heaven? You shall be flung down to hell. For if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have been standing yet.

23. And you, Caper'na-um, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

24. Still, I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on Judgement Day than for you.'

24. But I tell you that it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you."

25. At that time Jesus exclaimed, 'I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to little children.

25. At that time Jesus declared, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes;

26. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do.

26. yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.

27. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

27. All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28. 'Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest.

28. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.'

30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."