Matthew 11:7-19

7As these disciples of John were going away, Jesus began speaking 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 am sending 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 least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12And 9from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force. 13For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is 10Elijah who 11was to come. 1512The one who has ears to hear, 13let him hear.

16“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call out to the other children, 17and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a song of mourning, and you did not 14mourn.’ 18For John came neither 15eating nor 16drinking, and they say, ‘17He has a demon!’ 19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a 18heavy drinker, 19a friend of tax collectors and 20sinners!’ And yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”