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Jesus and John the Baptist
1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve
disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the
towns of Galilee.
2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was
doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one
who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you
hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk,
those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead
are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6
Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to
speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the
wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what
did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No,
those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then
what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and
more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is
written:
“ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare
your way before you.’
11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there
has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet
whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than
he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the
kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and
violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets
and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing
to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever
has ears, let them hear.
16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are
like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to
others:
17 “ ‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not
dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they
say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and
drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a
friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved
right by her actions.”
Woe on Unrepentant Towns
20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which
most of his miracles had been performed, because they did
not repent.
21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If
the miracles that were performed in you had been performed
in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in
sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more
bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for
you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the
skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles
that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it
would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it
will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than
for you.”
The Father Revealed in the Son
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father,
Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these
things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to
little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good
pleasure.
27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the
Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to
reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn
from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will
find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my
burden is light.”
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Cults 
Why Did God Permit Sin?
