| And it came to pass when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, that he departed thence, to teach and to preach in their cities.
When John being in prison heard the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said unto him. Art thou he that shall come: or shall we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them. Go and show John what ye have heard and seen. The blind see, the halt go, the lepers are cleansed: the deaf hear, the dead rise again, and the glad tidings is preached to the poor. And happy is he that is not offended by me.
And as they departed, Jesus began to speak unto the people of John. To see what, went ye out into the wilderness? Went ye out to see a reed shaken with the wind? other went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold they that wear soft clothing, are in kings houses. But what went ye out for to see? A Prophet? Ye I say to you and more than a Prophet. For this is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Verily I say unto you, among the children of women arose there not a greater than John the Baptist. Notwithstanding he that is less in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he. From the time of John Baptist hitherto the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and they that go to it with violence pluck it unto them. For all the Prophets and the law prophesied unto the time of John. And also if ye will receive it, this is Elias which should come. He that hath ears to hear let him hear.
But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children which sit in the market and call unto their fellows, and say: we have piped unto you, and ye have not danced? We have mourned unto you, and ye have not sorrowed. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, he hath the devil. The son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, behold a glutton and drinker of wine, and a friend unto publicans and sinners. Neverthelater wisdom is justified of her children.
Then began he to upbraid the cities, in which most of his miracles were done, because they mended not. Woe be to thee Chorasin. Woe be to thee Bethsaida: for if the miracles which were showed in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they had repented long agone in sackcloth and ashes. Nevertheless I say to you: it shall be easier for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgement, than for you. And thou Capernaum which art lift up unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell. For if the miracles which have been done in thee, had been showed in Sodom: they had remained to this day. Nevertheless I say unto you: it shall be easier for the land of Sodom in the day of judgement, than for thee.
At that time Jesus answered and said: I praise thee O' father Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast opened them unto babes: even so father, for so it pleased thee. All things are given unto me of my father. And no man knoweth the son but thy father: neither knoweth any man the father, save the son, and he to whom the son will open him.
Come unto me all ye that labor and are laden, and I will ease you. Take my yoke on you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. |
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