Matthew 11:7-19

7As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into 1the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 82But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ 3palaces! 94But what did you go out to see? 5A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it 6is written, ‘7Behold, I send My messenger 8ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ 11Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is 9least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 1210From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven 11suffers violence, and violent men 12take it by force. 13For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is 13Elijah who 14was to come. 1515He who has ears to hear, 16let him hear.

16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children, 17and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not 17mourn.’ 18For John came neither 18eating nor 19drinking, and they say, ‘20He has a demon!’ 19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a 21drunkard, 22a friend of tax collectors and 23sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”