1 And it happened, when Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, that he left there to teach and to preach in their towns.
2 While in prison John heard about the works of the Christ, and he sent two of his disciples
3 to ask him, "Are you the Coming One, or are we to wait for someone else?"
4 Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John the things you are hearing and seeing:
5 blind people see again and lame people walk, lepers are made clean and deaf people hear, dead people are raised and poor people are given the gospel.
6 And blessed is anyone who does not stumble over me."
7 As these were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to gaze at? A reed swayed by the wind?
8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man wrapped in soft garments? Look, those who wear soft things are in the palaces of kings.
9 Then what did you go out to see, a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much more than a prophet.
10 For this is the one about whom it is written, 'Look, I am sending my messenger before your face, who will make ready your way ahead of you.'
11 Truly I say to you, of all who have been born of women, no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.
12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men seize it.
13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied up to John.
14 And if you are willing to receive it, he himself is Elijah, the one who was to come.
15 Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.
16 To what will I liken this generation? It is like little children seated in the marketplaces who call out to their companions
17 and say, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed for you, and you did not beat your breasts.'
18 For John came not eating and not drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.'
19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'See, a man who is a glutton and a wine-drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' And wisdom has been justified by her children."
20 Then he began to reproach the towns in which the greatest number of his miracles had taken place, because they had not repented:
21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that happened in you had happened in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes.
22 But I say to you, it will be easier to endure for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
23 And you, Capernaum, lifted up as high as heaven, you will be brought down as far as Hades; for if the miracles that happened in you had happened in Sodom, it would have remained until today.
24 But I say to you that it will be easier to endure for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you."
25 At that time Jesus responded, "I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants.
26 Yes, Father, because this is what seemed good in your sight.
27 Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; no one fully knows the Son but the Father, and no one fully knows the Father but the Son and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal him.
28 Come to me, all who are weary and weighed down with burdens, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke on yourselves and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is kind and my load is light."