Open English Translation MAT Chapter 11

11 When Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) had finished giving those instructions to his twelve apprentices, he also left there and went to teach and preach in the Jewish cities.

2 When Yohan (John; Grk. Yoannes), who was in prison, heard about what the messiah was doing, he sent some of his apprentices 3 to ask Yeshua, “Are you the promised one, or should we be waiting for someone else?”

4 “Well,” Yeshua answered, “go and tell Yohan everything you’re hearing and seeing: 5 people who were blind can see now, lame people are now walking, people with leprosy are ‘clean’, deaf people can now hear,[ref] dead people have been brought back to life, and the good message is being declared to poor people.[ref] 6 Anyone who’s not embarrassed by me will be blessed.”

7 As Yohan’s apprentices left, Yeshua started talking to the crowd about Yohan: “What was it that you crowds went out to the wilderness to see? A reed being blown around by the wind?”[fn] 8 Yes, I’m asking you all, what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? People in palaces wear fine clothes. 9 So why did you go out there? To see a prophet? Yes, I’m telling you that he is a prophet, and even more important than the prophets. 10 He’s the one that was written about: ‘See, I’m sending out my messenger ahead of you, and he’ll get your path ready for you.’[ref] 11 I can assure you that no person who’s ever been born is greater than Yohan-the-immerser. But even the least important person in the heavenly kingdom is greater than him. 12 From the time of Yohan-the-immerser through to the present time, the heavenly kingdom has been opposed, and the opposition is grabbing at it.[ref] 13 All the prophets and the law prophesied before Yohan came, 14 and now, if you crowds are willing to believe it, he’s Eliyah (Elijah)—the one who would come in advance.[ref] 15 Anyone who’s willing is to strive to understand this.

16 “So what should I liken this generation to? It’s like young children sitting in the town centre who are calling out to others 17 and saying, ‘We played lively music for you but you didn’t dance. Then we played sad music, but you didn’t mourn.’ 18 After all, when Yohan came, he wasn’t eating or drinking, and they said, ‘He’s possessed by a demon!’ 19 Then the son of humanity came, and he was eating and drinking, but they said, ‘Look at this fellow—he’s a glutton and a drunkard—a friend of tax collectors and immoral people.’ But wisdom is only recognised with hindsight.

20 Then Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) began deriding the cities he’d done most of his miracles in, because they hadn’t turned away from their sins. 21 “Korazin, you’re doomed. Beyt-Tsayda, you’re doomed. Because if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Tsor (Tyre) and Tsidon (Sidon),[ref] they would have shown their turning away from their sins by wearing coarse cloth and showering themselves with ashes. 22 However, I’m telling you cities that it’ll be more tolerable for the people of Tsor and Tsidon on judgement day than it will be for you. 23 Same with you, Kafarnaoum (Capernaum). You won’t be lifted up to heaven, but instead you’ll be sent down to hell,[ref] because if the miracles which were done in you had been done in Sedom,[ref] that city would still be here today. 24 However, I’m telling you, Kafarnaoum, that it’ll be more tolerable for the people of Sedom on judgement day than it will be for you.”[ref]

25 At that time, Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) said, “I’m acknowledging you, father, master of heaven and earth, because you hid these things from ‘wise’ and ‘intelligent’ people and revealed them to the ‘naive’. 26 Yes, father, because that was your desire.

27 My father has given control of everything over to me,[ref] but no one really knows the son except the father, and no one really knows the father except the son and anyone who the son wants to tell about him.[ref]

28 Come to me all of you who are tired and feel overloaded, and I’ll help you relax. 29 You can take on my workload and learn from me, because I’m gentle and humble, and your souls will be able to relax,[ref] 30 because my workload is easy, and the load I’ll leave on your shoulders is light.