Matthew 11
11
Jesus and John the Baptist
1Jesus finished teaching his 12 disciples. Then he went on to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2John the Baptist was in prison. When he heard about the actions of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him. 3They asked Jesus, “Are you the one who is supposed to come? Or should we look for someone else?”
4Jesus replied, “Go back to John. Report to him what you hear and see. 5Blind people receive sight. Disabled people walk. Those who have skin diseases are made ‘clean.’ Deaf people hear. Those who are dead are raised to life. And the good news is preached to those who are poor. 6Blessed is anyone who does not give up their faith because of me.”
7As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. He said, “What did you go out into the desert to see? Tall grass waving in the wind? 8If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. People who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10He is the one written about in Scripture. It says,
“ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you.
He will prepare your way for you.’ (Malachi 3:1)
11What I’m about to tell you is true. No one more important than John the Baptist has ever been born. But the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is more important than he is. 12Since the days of John the Baptist, the kingdom of heaven has been under attack. And violent people are taking hold of it. 13All the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came. 14If you are willing to accept it, John is the Elijah who was supposed to come. 15Whoever has ears should listen.
16“What can I compare today’s people to? They are like children sitting in the markets and calling out to others. They say,
17“ ‘We played the flute for you.
But you didn’t dance.
We sang a funeral song.
But you didn’t become sad.’
18When John came, he didn’t eat or drink as you do. And people say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19But when the Son of Man came, he ate and drank as you do. And people say, ‘This fellow is always eating and drinking far too much. He’s a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’ By wise actions wisdom is shown to be right.”
Towns That Do Not Turn Away From Sin
20Jesus began to speak against the towns where he had done most of his miracles. The people there had not turned away from their sins. So he said, 21“How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible for you, Bethsaida! Suppose the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon. They would have turned away from their sins long ago. They would have put on clothes for mourning. They would have sat down in ashes. 22But I tell you this. On judgment day it will be easier for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23And what about you, Capernaum? Will you be lifted to the heavens? No! You will go down to the place of the dead. Suppose the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom. It would still be here today. 24But I tell you this. On judgment day it will be easier for Sodom than for you.”
Rest for All Who Are Tired
25At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father. You are Lord of heaven and earth. You have hidden these things from wise and educated people. But you have shown them to little children. 26Yes, Father. This is what you wanted to do.
27“My Father has given all things to me. The Father is the only one who knows the Son. And the only ones who know the Father are the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to make him known.
28“Come to me, all you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest. 29Become my servants and learn from me. I am gentle and free of pride. You will find rest for your souls. 30Serving me is easy, and my load is light.”
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Matthew 11: NIrV
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Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®
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St Matthew 11
11
1AND it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he passed from thence, to teach and preach in their cities.
2Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ: sending two of his disciples he said to him:
3Art thou he that art to come, or look we for another?
4And Jesus making answer said to them: Go and relate to John what you have heard and seen.
5The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6And blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in me.
7And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind?
8But what went you out to see? a man clothed in soft garments? Behold they that are clothed in soft garments, are in the houses of kings.
9But what went you out to see? a prophet? yea I tell you, and more than a prophet.
10For this is he of whom it is written: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.
11Amen I say to you, there hath not risen among them that are born of women a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is the lesser in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away.
13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John:
14And if you will receive it, he is Elias that is to come.
15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
16But whereunto shall I esteem this generation to be like? It is like to children sitting in the market place.
17Who crying to their companions say: We have piped to you, and you have not danced: we have lamented, and you have not mourned.
18For John came neither eating nor drinking; and they say: He hath a devil.
19The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say: Behold a man that is a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of publicans and sinners. And wisdom is justified by her children.
20Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein were done the most of his miracles, for that they had not done penance.
21Woe to thee, Corozain, woe to thee, Bethsaida: for if in Tyre and Sidon had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in you, they had long ago done penance in sackcloth and ashes.
22But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you.
23And thou Capharnaum, shalt thou be exalted up to heaven? thou shalt go down even unto hell. For if in Sodom had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in thee, perhaps it had remained unto this day.
24But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
25At that time Jesus answered and said: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to the little ones.
26Yea, Father; for so hath it seemed good in thy sight.
27All things are delivered to me by my Father. And no one knoweth the Son, but the Father: neither doth any one know the Father, but the Son, and he to whom it shall please the Son to reveal him.
28Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you.
29Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.
30For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.
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