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When Jesus had finished giving these instructions to his twelve disciples, he went out to teach and preach in towns throughout the region.
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John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus,
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“Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”
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Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—
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the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.
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And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me. ’”
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As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind?
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Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces.
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Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet.
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John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’