7And as these were departing, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind?
8But what went ye out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they who wear soft clothing are in king's houses.
9But what went ye out to see? A prophet[9]? Yea, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10For this is he of whom it is written:
Behold, I send forth my messenger before thy face,
Who shall prepare thy way before thee.
11Verily I say to you, among those born of women, there has not risen a greater than John the Immerser. But he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
12And from the days of John the Immerser until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent seize upon it. 13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14And if ye are willing to receive it, he is the Elijah that should come. 15He that has ears to hear, let him hear.
16But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like to children sitting in the markets, who call to their fellows, 17and say: We piped to you, and ye danced not; we sang the lament, and ye did not beat the breast. 18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say: He has a demon. 19The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say: Behold a glutton and a wine-drinker, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom was justified on the part of her children.
20Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his miracles were done, because they repented not. 21Woe to thee, Chorazin! Woe to thee, Bethsaida! For if the miracles, that were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you.
23And thou, Capernaum, [23a]that wast exalted to heaven, shalt go down to the underworld[23b]. For if the miracles, that were done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24But I say to you, that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.