³¹ What comparison am I to make of the men of this generation? what are they like?

¹⁶ But what comparison may I make of this generation? It is like children seated in the market-places, crying out to one another,

¹⁷ We made music for you and you did not take part in the dance; we gave cries of sorrow and you made no signs of grief.

¹⁸ For John came, taking no food or drink, and they say, He has an evil spirit.

¹⁹ The Son of man has come feasting, and they say, See, a lover of food and wine, a friend of tax-farmers and sinners! And wisdom is judged to be right by her works.

¹³ What example am I to give you? what comparison am I to make for you, O daughter of Jerusalem? what am I to make equal to you, so that I may give you comfort, O virgin daughter of Zion? for your destruction is great like the sea: who is able to make you well?

³⁰ And he said, What picture may we give of the kingdom of God, or with what story may we make it clear?