15. Let those with ears use them and listen!
16. “What can I say about the people who live today? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace. One group calls to the other,
17. ‘We played music for you, but you did not dance;we sang a sad song, but you did not cry.’
18. John came, and he did not eat like other people or drink wine. And people say, ‘He has a demon.’
19. The Son of Man came, eating and drinking wine, and people say, ‘Look at him! He eats too much and drinks too much. He is a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ But wisdom is proved to be right by the things it does.”
20. Then Jesus criticized the cities where he did most of his miracles. He criticized them because the people there did not change their lives and stop sinning.
21. Jesus said, “How terrible for you, Korazin! How terrible for you, Bethsaida! I did many miracles in you. If those same miracles had happened in Tyre and Sidon, then the people there would have changed their lives a long time ago. They would have worn rough cloth and put ashes on themselves to show that they had changed.
22. But I tell you, on the Judgment Day it will be worse for you than for Tyre and Sidon.
23. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No. You will be thrown down to the depths. I did many miracles in you. If those same miracles had happened in Sodom, its people would have stopped sinning, and it would still be a city today.
24. But I tell you it will be worse for you on the Judgment Day than for Sodom.”
25. Then Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. I praise you because you have hidden these things from the people who are wise and smart. But you have shown them to those who are like little children.
26. Yes, Father, this is what you really wanted.
27. “My Father has given me all things. No one knows the Son—only the Father knows the Son. And no one knows the Father—only the Son knows the Father. And the only people who will know about the Father are those whom the Son chooses to tell.
28. “Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads. I will give you rest.
29. Accept my work and learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will find rest for your souls.
30. The work that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is not heavy.”