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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"><title>Matthew 11 CEV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/matthew/11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/matthew/11-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="//biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">CEV</a> > Matthew 11</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../matthew/10.htm" title="Matthew 10">◄</a> Matthew 11 <a href="../matthew/12.htm" title="Matthew 12">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading">Contemporary English Version</div><div class="chap"><h3 class="s1">John the Baptist</h3><h5 class="r">(<ref loc="LUK 7:18-35">Luke 7.18-35</ref>)</h5><p class="par"><span class="v40_11_1"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.1" class="v40_11_1">1</span>After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he left and began teaching and preaching in the towns.<a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.11.1!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> </span></p><p class="par"><span class="v40_11_2"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.2" class="v40_11_2">2</span>John was in prison when he heard what Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers </span><span class="v40_11_3"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.3" class="v40_11_3">3</span>to ask Jesus, “Are you the one we should be looking for? Or must we wait for someone else?”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v40_11_4"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.4" class="v40_11_4">4</span>Jesus answered, “Go and tell John what you have heard and seen. </span><span class="v40_11_5"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.5" class="v40_11_5">5</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.11.5!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> The blind are now able to see, and the lame can walk. People with leprosy<a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.11.5!f.2" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> are being healed, and the deaf can hear. The dead are raised to life, and the poor are hearing the good news. </span><span class="v40_11_6"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.6" class="v40_11_6">6</span>God will bless everyone who doesn't reject me because of what I do.”</span></p><p class="par"><span class="v40_11_7"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.7" class="v40_11_7">7</span>As John's followers were going away, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John:</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v40_11_7">What sort of person did you go out into the desert to see? Was he like tall grass blown about by the wind? </span><span class="v40_11_8"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.8" class="v40_11_8">8</span>What kind of man did you go out to see? Was he someone dressed in fine clothes? People who dress like that live in the king's palace. </span><span class="v40_11_9"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.9" class="v40_11_9">9</span>What did you really go out to see? Was he a prophet? He certainly was. I tell you that he was more than a prophet. </span><span class="v40_11_10"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.10" class="v40_11_10">10</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.11.10!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> In the Scriptures God says about him, “I am sending my messenger ahead to get things ready for you.” </span><span class="v40_11_11"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.11" class="v40_11_11">11</span>I tell you no one ever born on this earth is greater than John the Baptist. But whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John.</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v40_11_12"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.12" class="v40_11_12">12</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.11.12!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> From the time of John the Baptist until now, violent people have been trying to take over the kingdom of heaven by force. </span><span class="v40_11_13"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.13" class="v40_11_13">13</span>All the Books of the Prophets and the Law of Moses<a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.11.13!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> told what was going to happen up to the time of John. </span><span class="v40_11_14"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.14" class="v40_11_14">14</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.11.14!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> And if you believe them, John is Elijah, the prophet you are waiting for. </span><span class="v40_11_15"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.15" class="v40_11_15">15</span>If you have ears, pay attention!</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v40_11_16"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.16" class="v40_11_16">16</span>You people are like children sitting in the market and shouting to each other,</span></p><p class="b"></p><p class="q1"><span class="v40_11_17"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.17" class="v40_11_17">17</span>“We played the flute,</span></p><p class="q2"><span class="v40_11_17">but you would not dance!</span></p><p class="q1"><span class="v40_11_17">We sang a funeral song,</span></p><p class="q2"><span class="v40_11_17">but you would not mourn!”</span></p><p class="b"></p><p class="mi"><span class="v40_11_18"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.18" class="v40_11_18">18</span>John the Baptist did not go around eating and drinking, and you said, “That man has a demon in him!” </span><span class="v40_11_19"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.19" class="v40_11_19">19</span>But the Son of Man goes around eating and drinking, and you say, “That man eats and drinks too much! He is even a friend of tax collectors<a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.11.19!f.1" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> and sinners.” Yet Wisdom is shown to be right by what it does.</span></p><h3 class="s1">The Unbelieving Towns</h3><h5 class="r">(<ref loc="LUK 10:13-15">Luke 10.13-15</ref>)</h5><p class="par"><span class="v40_11_20"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.20" class="v40_11_20">20</span>In the towns where Jesus had worked most of his miracles, the people refused to turn to God. So Jesus was upset with them and said:</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v40_11_21"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.21" class="v40_11_21">21</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.11.21!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> You people of Chorazin are in for trouble! You people of Bethsaida are in for trouble too! If the miracles that took place here had happened in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have turned to God long ago. They would have dressed in sackcloth and put ashes on their heads.<a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.11.21!f.2" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> </span><span class="v40_11_22"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.22" class="v40_11_22">22</span>I tell you on the day of judgment the people of Tyre and Sidon will get off easier than you will.</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v40_11_23"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.23" class="v40_11_23">23</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.11.23!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> People of Capernaum, do you think you will be honored in heaven? You will go down to hell! If the miracles that took place in your town had happened in Sodom, it would still be standing. </span><span class="v40_11_24"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.24" class="v40_11_24">24</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.11.24!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> So I tell you on the day of judgment the people of Sodom will get off easier than you.</span></p><h3 class="s1">Come to Me and Rest</h3><h5 class="r">(<ref loc="LUK 10:21">Luke 10.21</ref>,<ref loc="LUK 10:22">22</ref>)</h5><p class="par"><span class="v40_11_25"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.25" class="v40_11_25">25</span>At that moment Jesus said:</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v40_11_25">My Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I am grateful that you hid all this from wise and educated people and showed it to ordinary people. </span><span class="v40_11_26"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.26" class="v40_11_26">26</span>Yes, Father, this is what pleased you.</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v40_11_27"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.27" class="v40_11_27">27</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.11.27!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who truly knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so they can know him too.</span></p><p class="pi"><span class="v40_11_28"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.28" class="v40_11_28">28</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.11.28!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. </span><span class="v40_11_29"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.29" class="v40_11_29">29</span><a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.11.29!x.1" class="notelink x-link"><span></span></a> Take the yoke<a href="#fn" id="link_Matt.11.29!f.2" class="notelink f-link"><span>+</span></a> I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest. </span><span class="v40_11_30"><span class="reftext" id="Matt.11.30" class="v40_11_30">30</span>This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.</span></p> <a name="fn"></a><br /><br /><br /><b>Footnotes:<br /><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">11.1 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">the towns: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">The Greek text has “their towns,” which may refer to the towns of Galilee or to the towns where Jesus' disciples had lived.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">11.5 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">leprosy: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">See the note at 8.2.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">11.13 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">the Books of the Prophets and the Law of Moses: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">The Jewish Scriptures, that is, the Old Testament.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">11.19 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">tax collectors: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">See the note at 5.46.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">11.21 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">sackcloth … ashes on their heads: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">This was one way that people showed how sorry they were for their sins.</char></note><br /><note caller="+" style="f"><char style="fr" closed="false">11.29 </char><char style="fq" closed="false">yoke: </char><char style="ft" closed="false">Yokes were put on the necks of animals, so that they could pull a plow or wagon. A yoke was a symbol of obedience and hard work.</char></note></div></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div align="center"><p><span style="font-size:11pt;">Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt;">© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:11pt;">Bible text from the Contemporary English Version 2nd Edition (CEV®) is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by American Bible Society, 101 North Independence Mall East, Floor 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155 (<a href="http://www.americanbible.org">www.americanbible.org</a>). Learn more at <a href="http://www.cev.bible">www.cev.bible</a>. 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