8. What then did you go out to see? A mandressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
9. What then did you go out to see? A prophet?Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
10. This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’
11. Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,and the violent take it by force.
13. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,
14. and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.
15. He who has ears to hear,let him hear.
16. “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,
17. “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
18. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’