English Standard Version ESV
New King James Version NKJV
1 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
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Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.
2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples
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And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples
3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another? ”
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and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"
4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:
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Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.
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The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me. ”
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And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
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As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
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But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
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But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
10 This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you. ’
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For this is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.'
11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
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"Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who 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 suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.
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And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,
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For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.
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And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.
15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
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He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
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But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions,
17 “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn. ’
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and saying: 'We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.'
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon. ’
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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, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! ’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds. ”
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The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children."
20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.
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Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent:
21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
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"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
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But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
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And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you. ”
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But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you."
25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;
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At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.
26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
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Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
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All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
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Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
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Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly 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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For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.