1 aWhen Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He departed from there bto teach and preach in their cities. 2 aNow when bJohn, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to Him, "Are You athe Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?" 4 Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 athe BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the bPOOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. 6 "And blessed is he who adoes not take offense at Me." 7 As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, "What did you go out into athe wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 "But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings' palaces! 9 "But what did you go out to see? aA prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10 "This is the one about whom it is written, 'aBEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.' 11 "Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 "aFrom the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. 13 "For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 "And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is aElijah who was to come. 15 "aHe who has ears to hear, let him hear. 16 "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children, 17 and say, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' 18 "For John came neither aeating nor bdrinking, and they say, 'cHe has a demon!' 19 "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, aa friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds." 20 Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His amiracles were done, because they did not repent. 21 "aWoe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, bBethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in cTyre and cSidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in dsackcloth and ashes. 22 "Nevertheless I say to you, ait will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in bthe day of judgment than for you. 23 "And you, aCapernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will bdescend to cHades; for if the miracles had occurred in dSodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day. 24 "Nevertheless I say to you that ait will be more tolerable for the land of bSodom in the day of judgment, than for you." 25 aAt that time Jesus said, "I praise You, bFather, Lord of heaven and earth, that cYou have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. 26 "Yes, aFather, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. 27 "aAll things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father bexcept the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 "aCome to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and alearn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and bYOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 "For aMy yoke is easy and My burden is light."