New International Reader's Version NIRV
New International Version NIV
14 If you are willing to accept it, John is the Elijah who was supposed to come.
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And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
15 Those who have ears should listen.
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Whoever has ears, let them hear.
16 "What can I compare today's people to? They are like children sitting in the market places and calling out to others. They say,
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“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
17 " 'We played the flute for you. But you didn't dance. We sang a funeral song. But you didn't become sad.'
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“ ‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
18 When John came, he didn't eat or drink as you do. And people say, 'He has a demon.'
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For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
19 But when the Son of Man came, he ate and drank as you do. And people say, 'This fellow is always eating and drinking far too much. He's a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' Those who act wisely prove that wisdom is right."
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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 deeds.”
20 Jesus began to speak against the cities where he had done most of his miracles. The people there had not turned away from their sins. So he said,
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Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.
21 "How terrible it will be for you, Korazin! How terrible for you, Bethsaida! Suppose the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon. They would have turned away from their sins long ago. They would have put on black clothes. They would have sat down in ashes.
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“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For 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 this. On judgment day it will be easier for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
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But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
23 "And what about you, Capernaum? Will you be lifted up to heaven? No! You will go down to the place of the dead. Suppose the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom. It would still be here today.
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And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.For 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 this. On judgment day it will be easier for Sodom than for you."
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But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.