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"Go and report to John what you see and hear," replied Jesus;
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"blind eyes receive sight, and cripples walk; lepers are cleansed, and deaf ears hear; the dead are raised to life, and the poor have the Good News proclaimed to them;
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and blessed is every one who does not stumble and fall because of my claims."
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When the messengers had taken their leave, Jesus proceeded to say to the multitude concerning John, "What did you go out into the Desert to gaze at? A reed waving in the wind?
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But what did you go out to see? A man luxuriously dressed? Those who wear luxurious clothes are to be found in kings' palaces.
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But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet.
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This is he of whom it is written, "`See I am sending My messenger before Thy face, and he will make Thy road ready before Thee.'
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"I solemnly tell you that among all of woman born no greater has ever been raised up than John the Baptist; yet one who is of lower rank in the Kingdom of the Heavens is greater than he.
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But from the time of John the Baptist till now, the Kingdom of the Heavens has been suffering violent assault, and the violent have been seizing it by force.
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For all the Prophets and the Law taught until John.
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And (if you are willing to receive it) he is the Elijah who was to come.