1 When Jesus finished instructing his twelve disciples, he left to teach and preach in their cities.

2 While in prison, John heard news of what Christ was doing. He sent his disciples.

3 They asked Jesus: »Are you the Expected One or should we look for another?«

4 And Jesus answered: »Go tell John the things you hear and see.

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

6 »Blessed and happy is he who is not offended by me.«

7 When these men left, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John. »What did you go into the wilderness to find? Did you look for a reed shaken by the wind?

8 »What did you expect to see, a man clothed in fancy clothes? Those who wear fancy clothes are in king’s houses.

9 »Did you go to see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet!

10 »This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare the way for you.’

11 »I tell you, there is none, born of women, greater then John the Baptist. 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 has been man’s goal, and men of violence have attempted to take it by force.

13 »For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.

14 »If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come.

15 »He who has ears to hear let him listen!

16 »Of what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their playmates.

17 »They say: ‘We piped for you and you did not dance. We cried and you did not mourn.’

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, ‘A gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Wisdom is justified by its actions.«

20 Then he denounced the cities where most of his mighty works were done, because they did not repent.

21 »Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon that were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

22 »I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the Day of Judgment than for you.

23 »Will you, Capernaum, be exalted into heaven? You will go down into the grave. If the mighty works had been done in Sodom, which were done in you, it would have remained until this day.

24 »But I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the Day of Judgment, than for you.«

25 Then Jesus prayed: »I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and have revealed them to children. (Acts 2:36)

26 »Yes, Father, for it was very pleasing in your sight.

27 »All things have been delivered to me from my Father. Only the Father knows the Son, and only the Son knows the Father. The Son tells others about the Father so that they can know him too.

28 »Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.

29 »Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me. I am meek mild and humble in heart. You will have a restful life,

30 » for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.«