25
What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts.
26
What then did you go out to see?
1A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
27
This is he of whom it is written,
2“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you. ’
28
I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. ”
29
(
3When all the people heard this, and
4the tax collectors too, they declared God just,
5having been baptized with
6the baptism of John,
30
7but the Pharisees and
8the lawyers
9rejected
10the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. )
31
“To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?
32
They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep. ’
33
For John the Baptist has come
11eating no bread and
12drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon. ’
34
The Son of Man has come
13eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard,
14a friend of tax collectors and sinners! ’
35
Yet
15wisdom is justified by all her children. ”