^{2 Ref} Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples

^{3 Ref} and said to him, "Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?"

⁴ Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:

^{5 Ref} the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.

^{6 Ref} Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me."

^{7 Ref} As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

^{8 Ref} But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in king's houses.

^{9 Ref} But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.

^{10 Ref} For this is he, of whom it is written, 'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.'

^{11 Ref} Most assuredly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.

^{12 Ref} From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

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

^{14 Ref} If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come.

^{15 Ref} He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

^{16 Ref} "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions

^{17 Ref} and say, 'We played the flute for you, and you didn't dance. We mourned for you, and you didn't lament.'

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