1 When Jesus had made an end of instructing his twelve disciples, he departed thence, to teach and give warning in the cities.
2 Now John, having heard in prison of the works of the Messiah, sent two of his disciples,
3 who asked him, Are you he that comes, or must we expect another?
4 Jesus answering, said to them, Go, and relate to John, what you have heard and seen.
5 The blind are made to see, the lame to walk; lepers are cleansed; the deaf hear; the dead are raised; and good news is brought to the poor;
6 and happy is he, to whom I shall not prove a stumbling block.
7 When they were departed, Jesus said to the people concerning John, What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind?
8 But what did you go out to see? A man effeminately dressed? It is king's palaces that such frequent.
9 What did you go to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and something superior to a prophet:
10 «for this is he, concerning whom it is written,'Behold I will send my angel before you, who shall prepare your way.'»
11 Indeed, I say to you, among those that are born of women, there has not arisen a greater than John the Immerser. Yet the least in the Reign of Heaven is greater than he.
12 From the first appearing of John the Immerser until now, the kingdom of heaven is invaded, and invaders take possession by force.
13 For till John appeared, all the prophets and the law were your instructions:
14 and, if you will bear to be told it, this is the Elijah that was to come.
15 Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.
16 But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like boys in the market places, to whom their playfellows complain,
17 saying, We have played to you upon the pipe, but you have not danced; we have sung mournful songs to you, but you have not lamented.
18 For John came abstaining from meat and drink, and they say, He has a demon;
19 the Son of Man came using meat and drink, and they say, He is a lover of banquets and wine, a companion of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified by her children.
20 Then he began to reproach the cities, in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they reformed not.
21 Alas for thee, Chorazin! Alas for thee, Bethsaida! for if the miracles which have been performed in you, had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they had reformed long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22 Know, therefore, that the condition of Tyre and Sidon, on the day of judgment, shall be more tolerable than yours.
23 And thou, Capernaum, which hast been exalted to heaven, shalt be brought down to Hades; for, if the miracles which have been performed in thee, had been performed in Sodom, it had remained till now.
24 Know, therefore, that the condition of Sodom, on the day of judgment, shall be more tolerable than thine.
25 On that occasion Jesus said, I adore thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because, having concealed these things from sages and the learned, thou hast revealed them to babes:
26 yes, Father, because such is thy pleasure.
27 My Father has imparted everything to me; and no one knows the Son, except the Father; neither knows any one the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
28 Come to me, all you who toil and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and be taught by me; for I am meek and condescending: and your souls shall find relief.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.