25
But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.
26
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
27
This is he of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, Who will prepare your way before you.'
28
"For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than Yochanan the immerser, yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."
29
When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they justified God, being immersed with Yochanan's immersion.
30
But the Perushim and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being immersed by him themselves.
31
The Lord said, "To what then will I liken the men of this generation? What are they like?
32
They are like children who sit in the marketplace, and call one to another, saying, 'We piped to you, and you didn't dance. We mourned, and you didn't weep.'
33
For Yochanan the immerser came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'
34
The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man, and a drunkard; a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'
35
Wisdom is justified by all her children."