Matthew

And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.

1When Jesus finished giving instructions to his twelve disciples, he left that place. He went on to teach and preach in the towns nearby.

2Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

2John the Baptist was in prison. He heard about the things Christ was doing, so he sent some of his followers to him.

3And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

3They asked Jesus, "Are you the one who was promised to come, or should we wait for someone else?"

4Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

4Jesus answered them, "Go back to John and tell him what you are hearing and seeing.

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

5Blind people can see. Lame people walk. People with leprosy are made clean. Deaf people hear. Dead people are raised to life. And poor people are hearing the good news.

Note"The gospel" simply means the good news.

6And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

6God is pleased with anyone who does not turn away from me."

7And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

7As John's followers were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. "What did you go out into the desert to see? A tall reed bending in the wind?

8But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.

8What did you go out to see? A man in fine clothes? People who wear fine clothes live in kings' palaces.

9But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

9So what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.

10For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

10John is the one the Scriptures spoke about: 'I am sending my messenger ahead of you. He will get your road ready before you come.'

11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

11I tell you the truth. No one ever born is greater than John the Baptist. Yet the least person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.

12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

12From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been under attack, and violent people try to seize it.

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

13All the prophets and the law of Moses pointed ahead to what was coming, up until John's time.

14And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

14And if you are willing to accept it, John is the Elijah who was promised to come.

15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

15If you have ears, then listen.

16But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,

16What can I compare the people of this time to? They are like children sitting in the market square, shouting at the other children.

17And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

17They say, 'We played happy music for you, and you did not dance. We sang a sad song, and you did not cry.'

18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

18John came and did not eat or drink like others, and people said, 'A demon is in him.'

19The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and people say, 'Look, he eats and drinks too much, and he is a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved right by what it does."

20Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

20Then Jesus began to speak against the towns where he had done most of his miracles, because the people there had not turned from their sins.

21Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

21"How terrible for you, Chorazin! How terrible for you, Bethsaida! If the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, those people would have turned from their sins long ago. They would have worn rough cloth and sat in ashes.

NoteWearing rough cloth called sackcloth and sitting in ashes was how people showed deep sorrow for what they had done wrong.

22But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

22But I tell you, it will go easier for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

23And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

23And you, Capernaum, do you think you will be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to the place of the dead. If the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, that city would still be standing today.

24But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

24But I tell you, it will go easier for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."

25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

25At that time Jesus said, "Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I thank you. You have hidden these things from the wise and the clever, and shown them to little children.

26Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

26Yes, Father, because that is what pleased you.

27All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

27My Father has handed everything over to me. No one knows the Son except the Father. And no one knows the Father except the Son, and anyone the Son chooses to show him to.

28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

28Come to me, all of you who are tired and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.

29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

29Take my yoke on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.

NoteA yoke is a wooden bar laid across the shoulders of two oxen so they can pull a load together. Here Jesus uses it to picture the work and life he asks people to share with him.

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

30My yoke fits well, and the load I give you is light."