25
Really, what did you go to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Those who wear splendid clothes and live in luxury are in royal palaces.
26
Really, what did you go to see? A prophet? Let me tell you that he is far more than a prophet.
27
John is the one about whom Scripture says, 'I am sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare the way in front of you.'
28
I can guarantee that of all the people ever born, no one is greater than John. Yet, the least important person in the kingdom of God is greater than John.
29
"All the people, including tax collectors, heard John. They admitted that God was right by letting John baptize them.
30
But the Pharisees and the experts in Moses' Teachings rejected God's plan for them. They refused to be baptized.
31
"How can I describe the people who are living now? What are they like?
32
They are like children who sit in the marketplace and shout to each other, 'We played music for you, but you didn't dance. We sang a funeral song, but you didn't cry.'
33
John the Baptizer has come neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'There's a demon in him!'
34
The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look at him! He's a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'
35
"Yet, wisdom is proved right by all its results."