Jesus and John the Baptist
1After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.11:1 Greek in their towns
2When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy11:5 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin. are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
7As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those 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. 10This is the one about whom it is written:
“ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’11:10 Mal. 3:1
11Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence,11:12 Or been forcefully advancing and violent people have been raiding it. 13For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15Whoever has ears, let them hear.
16“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
17“ ‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.’
18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”
Woe on Unrepentant Towns
20Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.11:23 That is, the realm of the dead For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
The Father Revealed in the Son
25At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden 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.”
