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John sends his disciples to Christ, who upbraids the Jews for their incredulity, and calls to him such as are sensible of their burdens.
[1] And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he passed from thence, to teach and preach in their cities.
[2] Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ: sending two of his disciples he said to him:
[3] Art thou he that art to come, or look we for another?
[4] And Jesus making answer said to them: Go and relate to John what you have heard and seen.
[5] The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the gospel preached to them.
[6] And blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in me.
[7] And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind?
[8] But what went you out to see? a man clothed in soft garments? Behold they that are clothed in soft garments, are in the houses of kings.
[9] But what went you out to see? a prophet? yea I tell you, and more than a prophet.
[10] For this is he of whom it is written: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.
[6] "Scandalized in me": That is, who shall not take occasion of scandal or offence from my humility, and the disgraceful death of the cross which I shall endure.
[11] Amen I say to you, there hath not risen among them that are born of women a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is the lesser in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
[12] And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away.
[13] For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John:
[14] And if you will receive it, he is Elias that is to come.
[15] He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
[12] "Suffereth violence": It is not to be obtained but by main force, by using violence upon ourselves, by mortification and penance, and resisting our perverse inclinations.
[14] "He is Elias": Not in person, but in spirit. St. Luke 1. 17.
[16] But whereunto shall I esteem this generation to be like? It is like to children sitting in the market place.
[17] Who crying to their companions say: We have piped to you, and you have not danced: we have lamented, and you have not mourned.
[18] For John came neither eating nor drinking; and they say: He hath a devil.
[19] The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say: Behold a man that is a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of publicans and sinners. And wisdom is justified by her children.
[20] Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein were done the most of his miracles, for that they had not done penance.
[21] Woe to thee, Corozain, woe to thee, Bethsaida: for if in Tyre and Sidon had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in you, they had long ago done penance in sackcloth and ashes.
[22] But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you.
[24] But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
[25] At that time Jesus answered and said: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to the little ones.
[26] Yea, Father; for so hath it seemed good in thy sight.
[27] All things are delivered to me by my Father. And no one knoweth the Son, but the Father: neither doth any one know the Father, but the Son, and he to whom it shall please the Son to reveal him.
[28] Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you.
[29] Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.
[30] For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.
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