Matthew 11
1 When Jesus had finished giving instructions to his twelve disciples, he left to go and teach and speak publicly in the nearby towns.
When Jesus had concluded His instructions to His twelve disciples, He left in order to teach and to proclaim His Message in the neighbouring towns.
2 While John was in prison he heard what the Messiah was doing, so he sent his disciples
Now John had heard in prison about the Christ's doings, and he sent some of his disciples to inquire:
3 to ask on his behalf, “Are you the one we were expecting to come, or should we continue to look for someone else?”
"Are you the Coming One, or is it a different person that we are to expect?"
4 Jesus answered them, “Go back and tell John what you hear and what you see.
"Go and report to John what you see and hear," replied Jesus;
5 The blind can see, the crippled can walk, the lepers are healed, the deaf can hear, the dead are resurrected, and the poor hear the good news.
"blind eyes receive sight, and cripples walk; lepers are cleansed, and deaf ears hear; the dead are raised to life, and the poor have the Good News proclaimed to them;
6 Blessed are those who don't reject me!”
and blessed is every one who does not stumble and fall because of my claims."
7 As they left, Jesus began to talk to the crowds about John. “What were you expecting to see when you went out into the desert? A reed tossed about by the wind?
When the messengers had taken their leave, Jesus proceeded to say to the multitude concerning John, "What did you go out into the Desert to gaze at? A reed waving in the wind?
8 So what did you go to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? People dressed like that live in kings' palaces.
But what did you go out to see? A man luxuriously dressed? Those who wear luxurious clothes are to be found in kings' palaces.
9 So what did you go to see then? A prophet? Yes, and I tell you he is much more than a prophet!
But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet.
10 He's the one this Scripture was written about: ‘I'm sending my messenger on ahead of you. He will prepare your way for you.’
This is he of whom it is written, "'See I am sending My messenger before Thy face, and he will make Thy road ready before Thee.'
11 I tell you the truth, that among humanity there's no one greater than John the Baptist, but even the least important in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.
"I solemnly tell you that among all of woman born no greater has ever been raised up than John the Baptist; yet one who is of lower rank in the Kingdom of the Heavens is greater than he.
12 From the time of John the Baptist up till now the kingdom of heaven continues to be under attack and violent people are trying to seize it by force.
But from the time of John the Baptist till now, the Kingdom of the Heavens has been suffering violent assault, and the violent have been seizing it by force.
13 For all the prophets and the law spoke for God until John came.
For all the Prophets and the Law taught until John.
14 If you're prepared to believe it, he is Elijah, the one who was expected to come.
And (if you are willing to receive it) he is the Elijah who was to come.
15 Anybody with ears should be listening!
Listen, every one who has ears!
16 What shall I compare this generation to? It's like children sitting in the market places shouting to each other,
"But to what shall I compare the present generation? It is like children sitting in the open places, who call to their playmates.
17 ‘We played the flute for you and you didn't dance; we sang sad songs and you didn't cry.’
"'We have played the flute to you,' they say, 'and you have not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not beaten your breasts.'
18 John didn't come feasting and drinking, so people say, ‘He's devil-possessed!’
"For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'
19 On the other hand the Son of man came and did feast and drink, and people say, ‘Look, he's greedy and drinks too much; he's a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by what it does…”
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they exclaim, 'See this man! --given to gluttony and tippling, and a friend of tax-gatherers and notorious sinners!' And yet Wisdom is vindicated by her actions."
20 Then he began to reprimand the towns where he'd done most of his miracles because they had not repented.
Then began He to upbraid the towns where most of His mighty works had been done--because they had not repented.
21 “Shame on you, Korazin! Shame on you, Bethsaida! If the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which happened among you, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago.
"Alas for thee, Chorazin!" He cried. "Alas for thee, Bethsaida! For had the mighty works been done in Tyre and Sidon which have been done in both of you, they would long ere now have repented, covered with sackcloth and ashes.
22 But I tell you that on the Day of Judgment it will be better for Tyre and Sidon than it will for you!
Only I tell you that it will be more endurable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of Judgement than for you.
23 And what about you, Capernaum? Will you be exalted to heaven? No, you'll go down to Hades! If the miracles had been performed in Sodom which happened among you, Sodom would still be here today. (Hadēs g86)
And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted even to Heaven? Even to Hades shalt thou descend. For had the mighty works been done in Sodom which have been done in thee, it would have remained until now. (Hadēs g86)
24 But I tell you that on the Day of Judgment it will be better for Sodom than it will for you!”
Only I tell you all, that it will be more endurable for the land of Sodom on the day of Judgement than for thee."
25 Then Jesus prayed, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for you've hidden these things from the clever and sophisticated. Instead you've revealed them to ordinary people.
About that time Jesus exclaimed, "I heartily praise Thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and of earth, that Thou hast hidden these things from sages and men of discernment, and hast unveiled them to babes.
26 Yes, Father, you were pleased to do this!
Yes, Father, for such has been Thy gracious will.
27 Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father, and no one really understands the Son, except the Father, and no one really understands the Father, except the Son, and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
"All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one fully knows the Son except the Father, nor does any one fully know the Father except the Son and all to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.
28 Come to me, all of you who struggle and who are burdened down. I will give you rest.
"Come to me, all you toiling and burdened ones, and I will give you rest.
29 Accept my yoke, and learn from me. For I am kind and I have a humble heart, and in me you will find the rest you need.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is gentle, and my burden is light.”
For it is good to bear my yoke, and my burden is light."
