Matthew 11

1And it came to pass when Jesus had finished commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and preach in their cities.

1When Jesus had finished giving instructions to his twelve disciples, he left that place to go teach and preach in the surrounding towns.

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

2In prison, John heard about the things Christ was doing, so he sent some of his own disciples to ask him a question.

3and said unto him, Art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?

3They asked him, 'Are you the one who is supposed to come, or should we be looking for someone else?'

4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye hear and see:

4Jesus answered them, 'Go back and tell John what you are hearing and seeing:

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

5Blind people can see, lame people walk, those with leprosy are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are brought back to life, and the poor are being told the good news.

6And blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me.

6And anyone who does not give up on me is truly blessed.'

7And as these went their way, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?

7As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the crowds about John. He asked, 'What did you go out into the desert to see? A tall blade of grass blowing in the wind?

8But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft raiment are in kings’ houses.

8If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in expensive, fancy clothes? No, people who wear fancy clothes live in royal palaces.

9But wherefore went ye out? to see a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

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

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

10John is the person written about in the scriptures: "Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare the way for you."

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

11I tell you the truth, no one born of a woman is greater than John the Baptist. Yet, even the least important 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 men of violence take it by force.

12From the time of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been under attack, and violent people are trying to take it by force.

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

13All the prophets and the law of Moses talked about what would happen up until the time of John.

14And if ye are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, that is to come.

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

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

15Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!

16But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the marketplaces, who call unto their fellows

16What is this generation like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace calling out to their friends:

17and say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not mourn.

17"We played wedding music for you, but you wouldn’t dance! We played funeral music for you, but you wouldn’t cry!"

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

18John came fasting and not drinking wine, and people say, "He is possessed by a demon."

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

19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, "Look at him! He is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!" But wisdom is shown to be right by what it produces.'

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

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

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

21'How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible for you, Bethsaida! If the miracles done in you had been done in the cities of Tyre and Sidon, those people would have repented long ago, wearing scratchy cloth and sitting in ashes to show their sorrow.

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

22I tell you, it will be easier for Tyre and Sidon on judgment day than for you.

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

23And you, Capernaum, do you think you will be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. If the miracles I did 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.

24I tell you, it will be easier for the land of Sodom on judgment day than for you.'

25At that season Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes:

25At that time Jesus said, 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from those who think they are wise and smart, and you have shown them to people who are like little children.

26yea, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight.

26Yes, Father, this is what you wanted to do.

27All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him.

27My Father has given me everything. No one really knows the Son except the Father, and no one really knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28Come unto me, all ye that labor 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.

29Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives.

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

30The teaching I give you is easy to follow, and the load I ask you to carry is light.'