International Standard Version

English Standard Version

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

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

2Now when John heard in prison about the activities of the Messiah, he sent a message by his disciples

2Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples

3and asked him, "Are you the Coming One, or should we wait for someone else?"

3and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

4Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and observe:

4And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:

5the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the destitute hear the good news.

5the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

6How blessed is anyone who is not offended by me!"

6And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

7As they were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

7As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

8Really, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? See, those who wear fancy clothes live in kings' houses.

8What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.

9Really, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and even more than a prophet!

9What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

10This is the man about whom it is written, 'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'

10This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’

11I tell all of you with certainty, among those born of women no one has appeared who is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least important person in the kingdom from heaven is greater than he.

11Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

12"From the days of John the Baptist until the present, the kingdom from heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people have been attacking it,

12From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.

13because the Law and all the Prophets prophesied up to the time of John.

13For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,

14If you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.

14and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.

15Let the person who has ears listen!

15He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

16"To what can I compare the people living today? They're like little children who sit in the marketplaces and shout to each other,

16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

17A wedding song we played for you, the dance you all did scorn. A woeful dirge we chanted, too, but then you would not mourn.'

17“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

18Because John didn't come eating or drinking, yet people say, 'He has a demon!'

18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’

19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Absolved from every act of sin, is wisdom by her kith and kin."

19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

20Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had taken place, because they didn't repent.

20Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.

21"How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible it will be for you, Bethsaida! Because if the miracles that happened in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

22Indeed I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on Judgment Day than for you!

22But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.

23"And you, Capernaum! You won't be lifted up to heaven, will you? You'll go down to Hell! Because if the miracles that happened in you had taken place in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.

23And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

24Indeed I tell you, it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom on Judgment Day than for you!"

24But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

25At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from wise and intelligent people and have revealed them to infants.

25At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;

26Yes, Father, because this is what was pleasing to you.

26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.

27All things have been entrusted to me by my Father. No one fully knows the Son except the Father, and no one fully knows the Father except the Son and the person to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

27All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28"Come to me, all of you who are weary and loaded down with burdens, and I will give you rest.

28Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29Place my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest for your souls,

29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30because my yoke is pleasant, and my burden is light."

30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.