Matthew Eleven
When Jesus had finished commanding
his twelve disciples, he departed from
that place to teach and to preach in their cities. But when John heard in prison of the works
of Christ, he sent by his disciples,
And said to him, Are you the one who is
to come, or are we to expect another? Jesus answered and said, Go and describe
to John the things which you see and hear. The blind see, and the lame walk, and the
lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear , and
the dead rise up, and the poor are given hope. And blessed is he who does not stumble
on account of me.
¶ When they went away, Jesus began to
speak to the people concerning John, What
did you go out to the wilderness to see? A
reed which is shaken by the wind? If not so, what did you go out to see? A
man dressed in fine clothes? Behold those
who wear fine clothes are in kings’ houses. And if not so, What then did you go out to
see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much
more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written, Behold,
I send my messenger before your face,
to prepare the way before you.
¶ Truly I say to you, that among those
who are born of women, there has never risen
one who is greater than John the Baptist; and
yet even the least person in the kingdom of
heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until
now, the kingdom of heaven has been administered
by force, and only those in power
control it. For all the prophets and the law prophesied
until John. And if you wish, accept it, that he is Elijah
who was to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
¶ But to whom shall I liken this generation?
It is like boys who sit in the street and
call to their friends. And say, We have sung to you, but you
would not dance; and we have wailed to you
but you did not mourn. For John came, neither eating nor drinking,
and they said he is crazy. The Son of man came, eating and drinking,
and they said, Behold, a glutton and a
wine-bibber, and a friend of publicans and
sinners. And yet wisdom is justified by its
works.
¶ Then Jesus began to reproach the cities
in which his many works were done, and
which did not repent. And he said, Woe to you, Chorazin! woe to you,
Bethsaida! for if in Tyre and Sidon had been
done the works which were done in you, they
might have repented in sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, It will be easier for Tyre
and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for
you. And you, Capernaum, which have exalted
yourself up to heaven, shall be brought
down to Sheol; for if in Sodom had been done
the works which were done in you, it would
be standing to this day. But I say to you, It will be easier for the
land of Sodom in the judgment day, than for
you.
¶ At that time, Jesus answered and said, I
thank you, O my Father, Lord of heaven and
earth, because you have hidden these things
from the wise and the men of understanding,
and you have revealed them to children. O yes, my Father, for such was your
will. Everything has been delivered to me by
my Father, and no man knows the Son except
the Father, nor does any man know the
Father but the Son, and he to whomever the
Son wishes to reveal.
¶ Come to me, all you who are tired out
and carrying burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from
me, for I am genial and meek in my heart,
and you will find rest to your souls. For my yoke is very pleasant, and my
burden is light.
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