Messengers from John the Baptist
18 1 2The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John,
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calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one
3who is to come, or
4shall we look for another? ”
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And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one
5who is to come, or
6shall we look for another? ’”
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In that hour
7he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and
8on many who were blind he bestowed sight.
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And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard:
9the blind receive their sight, the lame walk,
10lepers are cleansed, and
11the deaf hear,
12the dead are raised up,
13the poor have good news preached to them.
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And blessed is the one who is
14not offended by me. ”
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When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out
15into the wilderness to see?
16A reed shaken by the wind?
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What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts.
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What then did you go out to see?
17A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
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This is he of whom it is written,
18“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you. ’
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I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. ”
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(
19When all the people heard this, and
20the tax collectors too, they declared God just,
21having been baptized with
22the baptism of John,
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23but the Pharisees and
24the lawyers
25rejected
26the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. )