^{7 Ref} And as these went their way, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken with the wind?

^{8 Ref} But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft `raiment'? Behold, they that wear soft `raiment' are in king's houses.

^{9 Ref} But wherefore went ye out? to see a prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

^{10 Ref} This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee.

^{11 Ref} Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

^{12 Ref} And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force.

^{13 Ref} For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

^{14 Ref} And if ye are willing to receive `it,' this is Elijah, that is to come.

^{15 Ref} He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

^{16 Ref} But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the marketplaces, who call unto their fellows

^{17 Ref} and say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not mourn.

^{18 Ref} For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon.

^{19 Ref} The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! And wisdom is justified by her works.