<p> <SPAN name="C11V1"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:1</font></SPAN> It happened that when
Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there
to teach and preach in their cities. <SPAN name="C11V2"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:2</font></SPAN> Now when John heard in the prison
the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples <SPAN name="C11V3"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:3</font></SPAN> and said to him, "Are you he
who comes, or should we look for another?"</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C11V4"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:4</font></SPAN> Jesus answered them,
"Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:
<SPAN name="C11V5"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:5</font></SPAN> the blind receive their
sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear,<font
color="#0000ff" size=-1><sup><SPAN href="#N53">*</SPAN></sup></font> the dead
are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.<font
color="#0000ff" size=-1><sup><SPAN href="#N54">*</SPAN></sup></font> <SPAN name="C11V6"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:6</font></SPAN> Blessed is he who finds no
occasion for stumbling in me."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C11V7"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:7</font></SPAN> As these went their
way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed
shaken by the wind? <SPAN name="C11V8"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:8</font></SPAN> But
what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear
soft clothing are in king's houses. <SPAN name="C11V9"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:9</font></SPAN> But why did you go out? To see a
prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. <SPAN name="C11V10"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:10</font></SPAN> For this is he, of whom it is
written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare
your way before you.'<font color="#0000ff" size=-1><sup><SPAN href="#N55">*</SPAN></sup></font> <SPAN name="C11V11"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:11</font></SPAN> Most certainly I tell you, among
those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John
the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than
he. <SPAN name="C11V12"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:12</font></SPAN> From the days of
John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and
the violent <SPAN href="#N56">take it by force.</SPAN> <SPAN name="C11V13"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:13</font></SPAN> For all the prophets and the law
prophesied until John. <SPAN name="C11V14"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:14</font></SPAN> If you are willing to receive
it, this is Elijah, who is to come. <SPAN name="C11V15"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:15</font></SPAN> He who has ears to hear, let him
hear.</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C11V16"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:16</font></SPAN> "But to what shall I
compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces,
who call to their companions <SPAN name="C11V17"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:17</font></SPAN> and say, 'We played the flute
for you, and you didn't dance. We mourned for you, and you didn't lament.'
<SPAN name="C11V18"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:18</font></SPAN> For John came neither
eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' <SPAN name="C11V19"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:19</font></SPAN> The Son of Man came eating and
drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend
of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her <SPAN href="#N57">children.</SPAN>"</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C11V20"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:20</font></SPAN> Then he began to
denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done,
because they didn't repent. <SPAN name="C11V21"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:21</font></SPAN> "Woe to
you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been
done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented
long ago in sackcloth and ashes. <SPAN name="C11V22"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:22</font></SPAN> But I tell you, it will be more
tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. <SPAN name="C11V23"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:23</font></SPAN> You, Capernaum, who are exalted
to heaven, you will go down to <SPAN href="#N58">Hades.</SPAN> For if the mighty
works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have
remained until this day. <SPAN name="C11V24"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:24</font></SPAN> But I tell you that it will be
more tolerable for the land of Sodom, on the day of judgment, than for
you."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C11V25"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:25</font></SPAN> At that time, Jesus
answered, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and
earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and
revealed them to infants. <SPAN name="C11V26"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:26</font></SPAN> Yes, Father, for so it was
well-pleasing in your sight. <SPAN name="C11V27"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:27</font></SPAN> All things have been delivered
to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does
anyone know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son desires to
reveal him.</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C11V28"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:28</font></SPAN> "Come to me, all you who
labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. <SPAN name="C11V29"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:29</font></SPAN> Take my yoke upon you, and learn
from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for
your souls. <SPAN name="C11V30"><font size=-1 color="blue">11:30</font></SPAN> For my yoke
is easy, and my burden is light."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C12V1"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:1</font></SPAN> At that time, Jesus
went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were
hungry and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. <SPAN name="C12V2"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:2</font></SPAN> But the Pharisees, when they saw
it, said to him, "Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do
on the Sabbath."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C12V3"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:3</font></SPAN> But he said to them,
"Haven't you read what David did, when he was hungry,
and those who were with him; <SPAN name="C12V4"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:4</font></SPAN> how he entered into the house of
God, and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither
for those who were with him, but only for the priests?<font
color="#0000ff" size=-1><sup><SPAN href="#N59">*</SPAN></sup></font> <SPAN name="C12V5"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:5</font></SPAN> Or have you not read in the law,
that on the Sabbath day, the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath,
and are guiltless? <SPAN name="C12V6"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:6</font></SPAN> But I
tell you that one greater than the temple is here. <SPAN name="C12V7"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:7</font></SPAN> But if you had known what this
means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,'<font color="#0000ff"
size=-1><sup><SPAN href="#N60">*</SPAN></sup></font> you would not have
condemned the guiltless. <SPAN name="C12V8"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:8</font></SPAN> For the Son of Man is Lord of the
Sabbath."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C12V9"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:9</font></SPAN> He departed there, and
went into their synagogue. <SPAN name="C12V10"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:10</font></SPAN> And behold there was a man with
a withered hand. They asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath
day?" that they might accuse him.</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C12V11"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:11</font></SPAN> He said to them,
"What man is there among you, who has one sheep, and
if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, won't he grab on to it,
and lift it out? <SPAN name="C12V12"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:12</font></SPAN> Of how
much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do
good on the Sabbath day." <SPAN name="C12V13"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:13</font></SPAN> Then he told the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out;
and it was restored whole, just like the other. <SPAN name="C12V14"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:14</font></SPAN> But the Pharisees went out, and
conspired against him, how they might destroy him. <SPAN name="C12V15"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:15</font></SPAN> Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew
from there. Great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all, <SPAN name="C12V16"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:16</font></SPAN> and commanded them that they
should not make him known: <SPAN name="C12V17"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:17</font></SPAN> that it might be fulfilled which
was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
<br/> <SPAN name="C12V18"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:18</font></SPAN> "Behold, my
servant whom I have chosen;
<br/>my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased:
<br/>I will put my Spirit on him.
<br/>He will proclaim justice to the nations.
<br/> <SPAN name="C12V19"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:19</font></SPAN> He will not strive,
nor shout;
<br/>neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
<br/> <SPAN name="C12V20"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:20</font></SPAN> He won't break a
bruised reed.
<br/>He won't quench a smoking flax,
<br/>until he leads justice to victory.
<br/> <SPAN name="C12V21"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:21</font></SPAN> In his name, the
nations will hope."<font color="#0000ff" size=-1><sup><SPAN href="#N61">*</SPAN></sup></font>
</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C12V22"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:22</font></SPAN> Then one possessed by
a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him and he healed him, so that the
blind and mute man both spoke and saw. <SPAN name="C12V23"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:23</font></SPAN> All the multitudes were amazed,
and said, "Can this be the son of David?" <SPAN name="C12V24"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:24</font></SPAN> But when the Pharisees heard it,
they said, "This man does not cast out demons, except by Beelzebul,
the prince of the demons."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C12V25"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:25</font></SPAN> Knowing their
thoughts, Jesus said to them, "Every kingdom divided
against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided
against itself will not stand. <SPAN name="C12V26"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:26</font></SPAN> If Satan casts out Satan, he is
divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? <SPAN name="C12V27"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:27</font></SPAN> If I by Beelzebul cast out
demons, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be
your judges. <SPAN name="C12V28"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:28</font></SPAN> But if I by
the Spirit of God cast out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon
you. <SPAN name="C12V29"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:29</font></SPAN> Or how can one
enter into the house of the strong man, and plunder his goods, unless he
first bind the strong man? Then he will plunder his house.</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C12V30"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:30</font></SPAN> "He who is not with me is
against me, and he who doesn't gather with me, scatters. <SPAN name="C12V31"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:31</font></SPAN> Therefore I tell you, every sin
and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit
will not be forgiven men. <SPAN name="C12V32"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:32</font></SPAN> Whoever speaks a word against
the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the
Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that
which is to come.</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C12V33"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:33</font></SPAN> "Either make the tree good,
and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for
the tree is known by its fruit. <SPAN name="C12V34"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:34</font></SPAN> You offspring of vipers, how can
you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart,
the mouth speaks. <SPAN name="C12V35"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:35</font></SPAN> The
good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man
out of his evil treasure<font color="#0000ff" size=-1><sup><SPAN href="#N62">*</SPAN></sup></font> brings out evil things. <SPAN name="C12V36"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:36</font></SPAN> I tell you that every idle word
that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
<SPAN name="C12V37"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:37</font></SPAN> For by your words you
will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C12V38"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:38</font></SPAN> Then certain of the
scribes and Pharisees answered, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from
you."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C12V39"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:39</font></SPAN> But he answered them,
"An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a
sign, but no sign will be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet.
<SPAN name="C12V40"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:40</font></SPAN> For as Jonah was three
days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of Man be
three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. <SPAN name="C12V41"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:41</font></SPAN> The men of Nineveh will stand up
in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for they
repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, someone greater than Jonah
is here. <SPAN name="C12V42"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:42</font></SPAN> The queen of
the south will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and will
condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of
Solomon; and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here. <SPAN name="C12V43"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:43</font></SPAN> But the unclean spirit, when he
is gone out of the man, passes through waterless places, seeking rest, and
doesn't find it. <SPAN name="C12V44"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:44</font></SPAN> Then he
says, 'I will return into my house from which I came out,' and when he has
come back, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. <SPAN name="C12V45"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:45</font></SPAN> Then he goes, and takes with
himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and
dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even
so will it be also to this evil generation."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C12V46"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:46</font></SPAN> While he was yet
speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood
outside, seeking to speak to him. <SPAN name="C12V47"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:47</font></SPAN> One said to him, "Behold,
your mother and your brothers stand outside, seeking to speak to you."</p>
<p> <SPAN name="C12V48"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:48</font></SPAN> But he answered him
who spoke to him, "Who is my mother? Who are my
brothers?" <SPAN name="C12V49"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:49</font></SPAN> He stretched out his hand
towards his disciples, and said, "Behold, my mother
and my brothers! <SPAN name="C12V50"><font size=-1 color="blue">12:50</font></SPAN> For
whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and
sister, and mother."</p>
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