^2 (A)Now when John heard ^(B)in prison about the deeds of ^(C)the Christ, he sent word by ^(D)his disciples ³ and said to him, “Are you ^(E)the one who is to come, or shall we ^(F)look for another?” ⁴ And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: ^5 (G)the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers^[a] are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and ^(H)the poor have good news preached to them. ⁶ And blessed is the one who ^(I)is not offended by me.”

⁷ As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out ^(J)into the wilderness to see? ^(K)A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸ What then did you go out to see? A man^[b] dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. ⁹ What then did you go out to see? ^(L)A prophet?^[c] Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is he of whom it is written,

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 (N)From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,^[d] and the violent take it by force. ^13 (O)For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,

²² And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: ^(A)the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, ^(B)lepers^[a] are cleansed, and ^(C)the deaf hear, ^(D)the dead are raised up, ^(E)the poor have good news preached to them.

²² And have mercy on those who doubt; ²³ save others by ^(A)snatching them out of ^(B)the fire; to others show mercy ^(C)with fear, hating even ^(D)the garment^[a] stained by the flesh.

Doxology

^24 (E)Now to him who is able ^(F)to keep you from stumbling and ^(G)to present you ^(H)blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, ²⁵ to ^(I)the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, ^(J)be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time^[b] and now and forever. Amen.