1
And it came to pass, when Yahushua finished commanding his twelve talmidim, he departed from there to teach and proclaim in their cities.
2
And Yochanan, having heard in the prison about the works of the Anointed, sent word through his talmidim,
3
and said to him: “Are you the one who is coming, or should we expect another?”
4
And Yahushua answered and said to them: “Go and report to Yochanan what you hear and see:
5
the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those with tzara’at are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor receive the Besorah.
6
And blessed is the one who does not stumble because of me.”
7
And as they departed, Yahushua began to speak to the crowds concerning Yochanan: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
8
But what did you go out to see? An ish clothed in soft garments? See— those who wear soft garments are in the houses of kings.
9
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
10
This is the one concerning whom it is written: ‘See— I send My messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way before you.’
11
Truly I tell you: among those born of women, there has not arisen one greater than Yochanan the Immerser. Yet the least in the Kingdom of the heavens is greater than he.
12
And from the days of Yochanan the Immerser until now, the Kingdom of the heavens is being pressed upon, and forceful men are seizing at it.
13
For all the Prophets and the Torah prophesied until Yochanan.
14
And if you are willing to receive it, he is Eliyahu, the one who was to come.
15
Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.
16
But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to the others,
17
saying: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance. We sang a lament, and you did not mourn.’
18
For Yochanan came neither eating nor drinking, and they say: ‘He has an unclean ruach.’
19
The Son of Adam came eating and drinking, and they say: ‘See— an ish who is a glutton and a drinker of wine, a companion of tax collectors and sinners.’ Yet wisdom is shown righteous by her works.”
20
Then he began to rebuke the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not turn back.
21
“Woe to you, Korazin. Woe to you, Beit-Tzaidah. For if the mighty works done among you had been done in Tzor and Tzidon, they would have turned back long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22
But I tell you: it shall be more bearable for Tzor and Tzidon in the day of Judgment than for you.
23
And you, Kefar-Nachum— will you be lifted to the heavens? You shall be brought down to Sheol. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sedom, it would have remained until this day.
24
But I tell you: it shall be more bearable for the land of Sedom in the day of Judgment than for you.”
25
At that time Yahushua answered and said: “I praise You, Father, Master of the heavens and the earth, because You concealed these things from the wise and the understanding and revealed them to little ones.
26
Yes, Father, for this was pleasing before You.
27
All things have been handed over to me by my Father. And no one fully knows the Son except the Father, nor does anyone fully know the Father except the Son and the one to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.
28
Come to me, all who labor and carry heavy burdens, and I shall give you rest.
29
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your beings.
30
For my yoke is good, and my burden is light.”