Jesus and John the Baptist
1Jesus finished teaching his 12 disciples. Then he went on to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2John the Baptist was in prison. When he heard about the actions of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him. 3They asked Jesus, “Are you the one who is supposed to come? Or should we look for someone else?”
4Jesus replied, “Go back to John. Report to him what you hear and see. 5Blind people receive sight. Disabled people walk. Those who have skin diseases are made ‘clean.’ Deaf people hear. Those who are dead are raised to life. And the good news is preached to those who are poor. 6Blessed is anyone who does not give up their faith because of me.”
7As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. He said, “What did you go out into the desert to see? Tall grass waving in the wind? 8If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. People who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10He is the one written about in Scripture. It says,
“ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you.
He will prepare your way for you.’ (Malachi 3:1)
11What I’m about to tell you is true. No one more important than John the Baptist has ever been born. But the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is more important than he is. 12Since the days of John the Baptist, the kingdom of heaven has been under attack. And violent people are taking hold of it. 13All the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came. 14If you are willing to accept it, John is the Elijah who was supposed to come. 15Whoever has ears should listen.
16“What can I compare today’s people to? They are like children sitting in the markets and calling out to others. They say,
17“ ‘We played the flute for you.
But you didn’t dance.
We sang a funeral song.
But you didn’t become sad.’
18When John came, he didn’t eat or drink as you do. And people say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19But 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.” ’ By wise actions wisdom is shown to be right.”
Towns That Do Not Turn Away From Sin
20Jesus began to speak against the towns where he had done most of his miracles. The people there had not turned away from their sins. So he said, 21“How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! 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 clothes for mourning. They would have sat down in ashes. 22But I tell you this. On judgment day it will be easier for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23And what about you, Capernaum? Will you be lifted to the heavens? 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. 24But I tell you this. On judgment day it will be easier for Sodom than for you.”
Rest for All Who Are Tired
25At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father. You are Lord of heaven and earth. You have hidden these things from wise and educated people. But you have shown them to little children. 26Yes, Father. This is what you wanted to do.
27“My Father has given all things to me. The Father is the only one who knows the Son. And the only ones who know the Father are the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to make him known.
28“Come to me, all you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest. 29Become my servants and learn from me. I am gentle and free of pride. You will find rest for your souls. 30Serving me is easy, and my load is light.”
Otumidwa ndi Yohane Mʼbatizi
1Ndipo Yesu atamaliza kulangiza ophunzira ake khumi ndi awiri aja, anachoka kumeneko kupita kukaphunzitsa ndi kukalalikira ku mizinda ya ku Galileya.
2Yohane ali mʼndende anamva zimene Khristu ankachita, ndipo anatumiza ophunzira ake kukamufunsa Iye. 3Anamufunsa kuti, “Kodi Inu ndinu uja ankanena kuti mudzabwerayu kapena tidikire wina?”
4Yesu anayankha kuti, “Bwererani ndi kukamuwuza Yohane zimene mwamva ndi kuona. 5Osaona akuona, olumala akuyenda, akhate akuchiritsidwa, osamva akumva, akufa akuukitsidwa ndipo Uthenga Wabwino ukulalikidwa kwa osauka. 6Odala ndi munthu amene sakhumudwa chifukwa cha Ine.”
7Pamene ophunzira a Yohane ankachoka, Yesu anayamba kuyankhula kwa gulu la anthu za Yohane kuti, “Kodi munkapita ku chipululu kuti mukaone chiyani? Kodi bango logwedezeka ndi mphepo? 8Nanga munkapita kukaona chiyani, munthu wovala zokongola? Ayi, wovala zokongola amakhala mʼnyumba za mafumu. 9Nanga munkapita kukaona chiyani? Mneneri kodi? Inde ndikuwuzani kuti munkakaona woposa mneneri. 10Uyu ndi amene malemba akunena za iye kuti,
“Ine ndidzatuma mthenga wanga patsogolo panu
amene adzakonza njira yanu.
11Zoonadi, Ine ndikuwuzani kuti pakati pa obadwa ndi mkazi sipanaoneke wina aliyense wamkulu woposa Yohane Mʼbatizi; komatu amene ndi wamngʼono kwambiri mu ufumu wakumwamba ndi wamkulu koposa iye. 12Kuyambira masiku a Yohane Mʼbatizi mpaka tsopano, ufumu wakumwamba ndi wolimbirana ndipo anthu amphamvu okha ndi amene akuwulanda. 13Pakuti aneneri onse ndi malamulo ananenera kufikira nthawi ya Yohane. 14Ndipo ngati inu mufuna kulandira izi, iyeyu ndi Eliya amene ankanena kuti adzabwera uja. 15Iye amene ali ndi makutu amve.
16“Kodi mʼbado uwu ndingawufanizire ndi chiyani? Uli ngati ana opezeka mʼmisika amene akuyitana anzawo nʼkumati:
17“ ‘Tinakuyimbirani zitoliro,
koma inu simunavine;
ife tinayimba nyimbo zamaliro,
koma inu simunalire.’
18Pakuti Yohane sanabwerere kudya kapena kumwa koma iwo ankanena kuti, ‘Iye anali ndi chiwanda.’ 19Mwana wa Munthu anabwera ndi kumadya ndi kumwa koma iwo akuti, ‘Munthu wadyera, woledzera, bwenzi la amisonkho ndi bwenzi la ochimwa.’ Koma nzeru imatsimikizika kuti ndi yolondola mwa ntchito zake.”
Tsoka la Mizinda Itatu Yosatembenuka mtima
20Pamenepo Yesu anayamba kudzudzula mizinda imene zodabwitsa zake zambiri zinachitikamo, chifukwa chakuti sinatembenuke mtima. 21“Tsoka kwa iwe Korazini! Tsoka kwa iwe Betisaida! Ngati zodabwitsa zimene zinachitika mwa iwe zikanachitidwa mu Turo ndi Sidoni, iwo akanalapa kale atavala ziguduli ndi kudzola phulusa. 22Koma ndikuwuzani inu kuti pa tsiku lachiweruzo mlandu wa Turo ndi Sidoni udzachepako kusiyana ndi wanu. 23Ndipo iwe Kaperenawo, kodi udzakwezedwa kufika kumwamba? Ayi, udzatsitsidwa mpaka pansi kufika ku Hade. Ngati zodabwitsa zimene zinachitika mwa iwe, zikanachitika mu Sodomu, bwenzi iye alipo kufikira lero. 24Koma Ine ndikuwuzani kuti pa tsiku la chiweruziro mlandu wa Sodomu udzachepako kusiyana ndi wanu.”
Goli la Khristu
25Pa nthawi imeneyo Yesu anati, “Ine ndikukuyamikani Inu Atate Ambuye akumwamba ndi dziko lapansi, chifukwa Inu mwawabisira zinthu izi anzeru ndi ophunzira ndi kuziwulula kwa ana angʼonoangʼono. 26Inde, Atate, ichi chinali chokukomerani Inu.
27“Zinthu zonse zapatsidwa kwa Ine ndi Atate anga. Palibe mmodzi amene adziwa Mwana kupatula Atate ndipo palibe mmodzi amene adziwa Atate kupatula Mwana ndi kwa iwo amene Mwana awasankha kuwawululira.
28“Idzani kwa Ine, inu nonse otopa ndi olemedwa ndipo Ine ndidzakupatsani mpumulo. 29Senzani goli langa ndipo phunzirani kwa Ine, pakuti ndine wofatsa ndi wodzichepetsa. Ndipo inu mudzapeza mpumulo wa miyoyo yanu. 30Pakuti goli langa ndi losavuta ndipo katundu wanga ndi wopepuka.”
