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Matthew 11:2-19

2 ^aNow when John heard ^bin prison about the deeds of ^cthe Christ, he sent word by ^dhis disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you ^ethe one who is to come, or shall we ^flook for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 ^gthe blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers ^{▼

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Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13} are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and ⁱthe poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who ^jis not offended by me.”

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out ^kinto the wilderness to see? ^lA reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man ^{▼

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Or Why then did you go out? To see a man . . .} dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? ⁿA prophet? ^{▼

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Some manuscripts Why then did you go out? To see a prophet?} Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,

^p“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 ^qFrom the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence ^{▼

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Or has been coming violently} and the violent take it by force. 13 ^sFor all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is ^tElijah who is to come. 15 ^uHe who has ears to hear ^{▼

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Some manuscripts omit to hear} let him hear.

16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,

17 “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came ^wneither eating ^xnor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came ^yeating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, ^za friend of ^aatax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” ^{▼

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Some manuscripts children (compare Luke 7:35)}