24
When John's messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
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 John the Baptizer, 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 baptized with John's baptism.
30
But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized 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 John the Baptizer 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!'