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What did you go out to see? A man dressed up in fancy clothes? People who dress like that live in palaces!
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Tell me, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes indeed, but you saw much more than a prophet.
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For John is the one of whom the scripture says: "God said, I will send my messenger ahead of you to open the way for you.'
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I assure you that John the Baptist is greater than anyone who has ever lived. But the one who is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than John.
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From the time John preached his message until this very day the Kingdom of heaven has suffered violent attacks, and violent men try to seize it.
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Until the time of John all the prophets and the Law of Moses spoke about the Kingdom;
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and if you are willing to believe their message, John is Elijah, whose coming was predicted.
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Listen, then, if you have ears!
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"Now, to what can I compare the people of this day? They are like children sitting in the marketplace. One group shouts to the other,
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"We played wedding music for you, but you wouldn't dance! We sang funeral songs, but you wouldn't cry!'
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When John came, he fasted and drank no wine, and everyone said, "He has a demon in him!'