23
Those who do not stumble in their faith because of me are blessed!"
24
When John's followers left, Jesus began talking to the people about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reedn blown by the wind?
25
What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, people who have fine clothes and much wealth live in kings' palaces.
26
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, and I tell you, John is more than a prophet.
27
This was written about him: 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare the way for you.'
28
I tell you, John is greater than any other person ever born, but even the least important person in the kingdom of God is greater than John."
29
(When the people, including the tax collectors, heard this, they all agreed that God's teaching was good, because they had been baptized by John.
30
But the Pharisees and experts on the law refused to accept God's plan for themselves; they did not let John baptize them.)
31
Then Jesus said, "What shall I say about the people of this time? What are they like?
32
They are like children sitting in the marketplace, calling to one another and saying, 'We played music for you, but you did not dance; we sang a sad song, but you did not cry.'
33
John the Baptist came and did not eat bread or drink wine, and you say, 'He has a demon in him.'