7 As these men were going away, Jesusbegan to speak to the crowdsaboutJohn, "What did you go out into 1the wilderness to see? A reedshaken by the wind?
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"But what did you go out to see? A mandressed in soft clothing? Those who wearsoft clothing are in kings'palaces!
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"But what did you go out to see? 2A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet.
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"This is the one aboutwhom it is written,'3BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU,WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAYBEFORE YOU.'
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"Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
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"4From the days of John the Baptistuntilnow the kingdom of heavensuffersviolence, and violentmentake it by force.
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"For all the prophets and the LawprophesieduntilJohn.
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"And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is 5Elijah who was to come.
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"But to what shall I comparethisgeneration? It is likechildrensitting in the marketplaces, whocall out to the other children,
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and say, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.'
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"For Johncameneither7eatingnor8drinking, and they say, '9He has a demon!'
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"The Son of Mancameeating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonousman and a drunkard, 10a friend of taxcollectors and sinners!' Yetwisdom is vindicated by her deeds."