Chapter IX

CHRIST AT CAPERNAUM AND NAIN, HIS REPLY TO JOHN THE BAPTIST, ETC.

1 [7:1]WHEN he had finished all his discourses in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum. [7:2]And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick, and about to die; [7:3]and he hearing of Jesus, sent to him the elders of the Jews, asking him to come and cure his servant. [7:4]And having come to Jesus they besought him earnestly, saying, He is worthy for whom you should do this; [7:5]for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue. [7:6]And Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying, Lord, trouble not yourself, for I am not fit that you should come under my roof. [7:7]Wherefore I did not think myself worthy to come to you; but say the word, and my servant shall be cured; [7:8] for I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me, and I say to one, Go, and he goes, and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it. [7:9]And Jesus hearing these things wondered at him, and turning around said to the multitude following him, I tell you I have not found in Israel so great a faith; [7:10]and those sent returning to the house found the sick servant well.

2 [7:11]And on the next day he went to a city called Nain, and a considerable number of his disciples and a great multitude went with him. [7:12]And as he approached the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was carried out, an only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a great multitude from the city was with her. [7:13]And seeing her, the Lord had compassion on her, and said to her, Weep not. [7:14]And approaching he touched the bier, and those who bore it stopped. And he said, Young man, I tell you, arise! [7:15]And the dead sat up, and began to speak; and he gave him to his mother. [7:16]And fear seized all; and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet is raised up among us; and, God has visited his people. [7:17]And this report of him went out into all Judea, and into all the region around.

3 [7:18]And his disciples told John of all these things. [7:19]And calling two of his disciples, John sent to the Lord, saying, Are you he that was to come, or look we for another? [7:20]And coming to him the men said, John the Baptist has sent us to you to say, Are you he that was to come, or look we for another? [7:21]And in that hour he cured many of diseases, and plagues, and of evil spirits, and gave sight to many blind. [7:22]And Jesus answered and said to them, Go and tell John what you have seen and heard; that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the good news preached to them; [7:23]and blessed is he who shall not be offended with me.

4 [7:24]And when the messengers of John had gone away, he said to the multitudes concerning John, What went you out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with a wind? [7:25]But what went you out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Behold, those who wear fine clothes, and live in luxury, are in royal palaces. [7:26]But what went you out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. [7:27]This is he of whom it is written; Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way before you. [7:28]I tell you, that among those born of women there is no greater prophet than John; but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. [7:29]And all the people who heard this, and the publicans, justified God, having received the baptism of John. [7:30]But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God as to themselves, not having been baptized by him.

5 [7:31][And he said], To what then shall I compare the men of this generation? and what are they like? [7:32]They are like little children sitting in the market, and they call to each other, saying, We have played on pipes to you, and you have not danced; we have mourned to you, and you have not lamented. [7:33] For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, He has a demon. [7:34]The Son of man has come eating and drinking, and you say, Behold a glutton and a wine drinker! a friend of publicans and sinners! [7:35] And Wisdom is justified by all her children.