25
But what did you go out to see? A man wearing luxurious clothes? People who are gorgeously dressed and live in luxury are found in palaces.
26
But what did you go out to see? A Prophet? Aye, I tell you, and far more than a Prophet.
27
John is the man about whom it is written, `See, I am sending My messenger before thy face, and he shall make ready thy way before thee.'
28
"I tell you that among all of women born there is not one greater than John. Yet one who is of lower rank in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.
29
And all the people, including the tax-gatherers, when they listened to him upheld the righteousness of God, by being baptized with John's baptism.
30
But the Pharisees and expounders of the Law have frustrated God's purpose as to their own lives, by refusing to be baptized.
31
"To what then shall I compare the men of the present generation, and what do they resemble?
32
They are like children sitting in the public square and calling out to one another, `We have played the flute to you, and you have not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not shown sorrow.'
33
For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, `He has a demon!'
34
The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, `Look, there is a man who is overfond of eating and drinking--he is a friend of tax-gatherers and notorious sinners!'
35
But wisdom is justified by all who are truly wise."