Matthew Chapter Eleven Poem by Day Williams

1 When Jesus had concluded giving his
Twelve followers these guidelines, he went on
From there to teach and preach in Galilee's

Villages.2 John the Baptist, who was now
In prison, heard what Christ was doing, so
He sent his followers 3 to ask, "Are you

The one who was to come, or shall we keep
On looking? " 4 Jesus answered, "Go and tell
John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive

Their sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy
Are cured, the deaf can hear, the dead are raised,
And the good news is preached unto the poor.

6 Happy the man who does not fall away
Because of me." 7 As John's disciples were
Departing, Jesus started speaking to

The crowd concerning John the Baptist: "What
Did you go out into the wilderness
To see? A reed that rippled in the breeze?

8 If not, what did you go to see? A man
Dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes
Are in kings' palaces.9 Then what did you

Go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell
You, and more than a prophet.10 This is he
Of whom the Scripture says: ‘Behold, I send

My messenger ahead of you, who will
Prepare your way ahead of you.' 11 Believe
Me that among those born of women none

Greater than John the Baptist has arisen,
And yet the least in Heaven's Kingdom is
Greater than he.12 From John the Baptist's days

Until now, Heaven's Kingdom has been taken
By storm, and forceful men lay hold of it,
13 For all the Prophets and the Law foretold

It ‘til the time of John,14 and if you will
Accept it, he is the Elijah whom
The prophets said would come.15 He who has ears

To hear must listen now.16 How can I show
You what this generation's like? They are
Like children sitting in the marketplace

And calling to their friends: 17 ‘We played the flute
For you, and yet you did not dance; we sang
A dirge, and yet you did not mourn.' 18 For John

Appeared in strict austerity, and they
Remarked, ‘He has a demon.' 19 Then the Son
Of Man appeared, enjoying life, and they

Remarked, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunk,
A friend of tax collectors who consorts
With sinners! And yet wisdom is proved right

By her own actions." 20 Jesus then began
Denouncing cities where he had performed
Most of his miracles, for they did not

Repent.21 "Alas to you, Korazin! Woe
To you, Bethsaida! Because if Tyre
And Sidon had beheld the miracles

Which you have seen, they'd have repented long
Ago in sackcloth and in ashes,22 but
I tell you, it will be more bearable

For Tyre and Sidon on the judgment day
Than you; 23 and you, Capernaum, will you
Be lifted to the skies? No, you will go

Down to the depths. For if the miracles
That were performed in you had been performed
In Sodom, it would still be standing; 24 but

I tell you it will be more bearable
For Sodom on the day of judgment than
For you." 25 Then Jesus said, "I praise you, Father,

Lord of heaven and earth, because you have
Concealed these things from those
who think themselves
So wise and learned, and revealed them to

The little children.26 Yes, I thank you, Father,
For this was your good pleasure.27 Everything's
Been put in my hands by my Father. No

One knows the Son except the Father, and
Nobody knows the Father but the Son
And those the Son decides to show him to.

28 Come to me, all you who are weary and
Burdened, and I will give you rest.29 Put on
My yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle,

Humble in heart; your souls will rest aright,
For my yoke's easy and my burden's light."