Matthew

The Gospel according to Saint Matthew, chapter 11, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 11 New English Translation

   1 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their towns.

Jesus and John the Baptist

   2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds Christ had done, he sent his disciples to ask a question: 3 "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?" 4 Jesus answered them, "Go tell John what you hear and see: 5 The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news proclaimed to them. 6 Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."
   7 While they were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? Look, those who wear fancy clothes are in the homes of kings! 9 What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: 'Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'
   11 "I tell you the truth, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is 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 has suffered violence, and forceful people lay hold of it. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John appeared. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, who is to come. 15 The one who has ears had better listen!
   16 "To what should I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to one another,
   17 'We played the flute for you, yet you did not dance; we wailed in mourning, yet you did not weep.'
   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, 'Look at him, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is vindicated by her deeds."

Woes on Unrepentant Cities

   20 Then Jesus began to criticize openly the cities in which he had done many of his miracles, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you! 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be thrown down to Hades! For if the miracles done among you had been done in Sodom, it would have continued to this day. 24 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for the region of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you!"

Jesus' Invitation

   25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, LORD of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son decides to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke on you 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 easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry."

King James Version

   1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.
   2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
   3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
   4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
   5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
   6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
   7 ¶ And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
   8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
   9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
   10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
   11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
   12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
   13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
   14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
   15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
   16 ¶ But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
   17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
   18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
   19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
   20 ¶ Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
   21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
   22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
   23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
   24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
   25 ¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
   26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
   27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
   28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
   29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
   30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.