27
This is the one about whom the Tanakh says, `See, I am sending out my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.'
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I tell you that among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than Yochanan the Immerser! Yet the one who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he!"
29
All the people who heard him, even the tax-collectors, by undergoing Yochanan's immersion acknowledged that God was right;
30
but the P'rushim and the Torah-teachers, by not letting themselves be immersed by him, nullified for themselves God's plan.
31
"Therefore," said the Lord, "how can I describe the people of this generation? What are they like?
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They are like children sitting in the marketplaces, calling to one another, `We made happy music, but you wouldn't dance! We made sad music, but you wouldn't cry!'
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For Yochanan has come not eating bread and not drinking wine; and you say, `He has a demon!'
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The Son of Man has come eating and drinking; and you say, `Aha! A glutton and a drunkard! A friend of tax-collectors and sinners!'
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Well, the proof of wisdom is in all the kinds of people it produces."
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One of the P'rushim invited Yeshua to eat with him, and he went into the home of the Parush and took his place at the table.
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A woman who lived in that town, a sinner, who was aware that he was eating in the home of the Parush, brought an alabaster box of very expensive perfume,