Matthew 11 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

When Jesus finished giving instructions to his twelve students, he moved on from there to teach and spread his message in their towns.

Now John, hearing in prison about everything The One was doing, sent word through his students

to ask him, "Are you the one who's coming, or should we be looking for someone else?"

Jesus answered them, "Go back and report to John what you're hearing and seeing:

Blind people are seeing again, people who couldn't walk are walking, those with skin diseases are being made clean, deaf people are hearing, dead people are being raised back to life, and poor people are hearing good news.

And life is good for anyone who doesn't stumble over me.

As John's students were leaving, Jesus began talking to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A stalk of grass swaying in the wind?

So what did you go out to see? A man dressed in expensive clothes? Look, people who wear expensive clothes live in royal palaces.

So what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes — and I'm telling you, far more than a prophet.

This is the one the Scriptures are talking about when they say: 'Look — I'm sending my messenger ahead of you. He'll prepare the road for your arrival.'

I'm telling you the truth: among everyone ever born, no one has been greater than John the Submerger. And yet, the least significant person in God's kingdom is greater than he is.

From the days of John the Submerger until now, God's kingdom has been forcefully advancing, and forceful people are seizing hold of it.

All the Prophets and the Law prophesied leading up to John.

And if you're willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was supposed to come.

If you have ears, then listen!

"What can I compare this generation to? They're like kids sitting in the marketplace calling out to each other:

'We played the flute for you and you didn't dance. We sang funeral songs and you didn't mourn.'

Because John came not eating or drinking, and people say, 'He's got a demon.'

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and people say, 'Look at this guy — a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and people everyone looks down on!' But wisdom proves herself right by what she produces.

Then Jesus began to call out the cities where he'd done most of his powerful works, because they hadn't completely changed direction:

"This is going to be terrible for you, Chorazin! This is going to be terrible for you, Bethsaida! Because if the powerful works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, those people would have completely changed direction long ago, sitting in scratchy clothes and ashes.

But I'm telling you — it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

And you, Capernaum — do you think you'll be lifted up to heaven? You'll be thrown down to the grave. Because if the powerful works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would still be standing today.

But I'm telling you—it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."

At that time, Jesus said, "I praise you, Father — Master of heaven and earth — because you've hidden these things from the sophisticated and educated and revealed them to little children.

Yes, Father, because this is what pleased you.

"My Father has handed everything over to me. No one fully knows the Son except the Father, and no one fully knows the Father except the Son — and anyone the Son chooses to reveal him to.

"Come to me, all of you who are exhausted and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.

Put on my yoke and learn from me, because I'm gentle and not full of myself, and you'll find rest deep in your souls.

Because my yoke is easy to wear, and my load is light."