Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version

1When Jesus had finished giving instructions to his twelve disciples, he moved on from there to teach and preach in their 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 what the Christ was doing, he sent a message through 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 one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?"

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

4Jesus replied to them, "Go and report to John what you hear and see:

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

5The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told 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.

6and blessed is the one who isn't offended by me."

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

7As these men were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in 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?

8What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? See, those who wear soft clothes are in royal palaces.

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

9What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and 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 one about whom it is written: See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he 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.’

11"Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared, but the least in the kingdom of 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.

12From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence, and the violent have been seizing it by force.

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

13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

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

14And if you're willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come.

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

15Let anyone who has ears listen.

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

16"To what should I compare this generation? It's like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to other children:

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

17We played the flute for you, but you didn't dance; we sang a lament, but you didn't mourn!

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

18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they 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 drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds."

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 he proceeded to denounce the towns where most of his miracles were done, because they did not repent:

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

21"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago.

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.

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

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

23And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until today.

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.

24But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment 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 the wise and intelligent and 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 was your good pleasure.

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

27All things have been entrusted 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 desires 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 burdened, and I will give you rest.

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

29Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, 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.

30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

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

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

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.