24
And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak to the multitudes concerning John. What went ye out into the desert to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
25
But what went you out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold they that are in costly apparel and live delicately are in the houses of kings.
26
But what went you out to see? A prophet? Yea, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
27
This is he of whom it is written: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.
28
For I say to you: Amongst those that are born of men, there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist. But he that is the lesser in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
29
And all the people hearing, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with John’s baptism.
30
But the Pharisees and the lawyers despised the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized by him.
31
And the Lord said: Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? And to what are they like?
32
They are like to children sitting in the marketplace and speaking one to another and saying: We have piped to you, and you have not danced: we have mourned, and you have not wept.
33
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine. And you say: He hath a devil.
34
The Son of man is come eating and drinking. And you say: Behold a man that is a glutton and a drinker of wine, a friend of publicans and sinners.