Matthew 11:7–19

⁷But as they went away, Jesus began to say to the crowds concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? a reed moved about by the wind? ⁸But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in delicate raiment? behold, those who wear delicate things are in the houses of kings. ⁹But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say to you, and more than a prophet: ¹⁰this is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee. ¹¹Verily I say to you, that there is not arisen among the born of women a greater than John the baptist. But he who is a little one in the kingdom of the heavens is greater than he. ¹²But from the days of John the baptist until now, the kingdom of the heavens is taken by violence, and the violent seize on it. ¹³For all the prophets and the law have prophesied unto John. ¹⁴And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, who is to come. ¹⁵He that has ears to hear, let him hear.

¹⁶But to whom shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the markets, which, calling to their companions, ¹⁷say, We have piped to you, and ye have not danced: we have mourned to you, and ye have not wailed. ¹⁸For John has come neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a demon. ¹⁹The Son of man has come eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a man that is eating and wine-drinking, a friend of tax-gatherers, and of sinners: —and wisdom has been justified by her children.