Dual Panel1WHEN Jesus had finished giving his twelve disciples these instructions he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns in which they lived.
2John the Baptist was in prison when he heard what Christ was doing, and he sent a message through his own disciples
3asking the question, Are you the one who was to come or are we to look for somebody else?"
4Jesus gave them this reply, "Go and tell John what you hear and see
5that blind men are recovering their sight, cripples are walking, lepers being healed, the deaf hearing, the dead being raised to life and the good news is being given to those in need.
6And happy is the man who never loses his faith in me."
7As John's disciples were going away Jesus began talking to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to look at? A reed waving in the breeze? No?
8Then [what] was it you went out to see?a man dressed in fine clothes? But the men who wear fine clothes live in the courts of kings!
9But what did you really go to seea prophet? Yes, I tell you, a prophet and far more than a prophet!
10This is the man of whom the scripture saysBehold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee.
11"Believe me, no one greater than John the Baptist has ever been born of all mankind, and yet a humble member of the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.
12"From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of Heaven has been subject to force and violent men are trying to seize it.
13For the Law and all the Prophets foretold it till the time of John
14andif you can believe itJohn himself is the Elijah' who must come before the kingdom.
15The man who has ears to hear must use them!
16"But how can I show what the people of this generation are like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace calling out to their friends,
17'We played at weddings for you but you wouldn't dance, and we played at funerals and you wouldn't cry!'
18For John came in the strictest austerity and people say, 'He's crazy!'
19Then the Son of Man came, enjoying life, and people say, 'Look, a drunkard and a gluttonthe bosomfriend of the taxcollector and the sinner.' Ah, well, wisdom stands or falls by her results."
20Then Jesus began reproaching the towns where most of his miracles had taken place because their hearts were unchanged. "Alas for you, Chorazin!
21Alas for you, Bethsaida! For if Tyre and Sidon had seen the demonstrations of God's power which you have seen they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22Yet I tell you this, that it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
23"And as for you, Capernaum, are you on your way up to heaven? I tell you you will go hurtling down among the dead! If Sodom had seen the miracles that you have seen, Sodom would be standing today.
24Yet I tell you now that it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you."
25At this same time Jesus said, "O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, I thank you for hiding these things from the clever and intelligent and for showing them to mere children.
26Yes, I thank you, Father, that this was your will."
27Then he said: "Everything has been put into my hands by my Father, and nobody knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Sonand the man to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28"Come to me, all of you who are weary and overburdened, and I will give you rest!
29Put on my yoke and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.
30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."