23. and blessed is whosoever shall not be offended in me.
24. And the messengers of John having departed, he began to speak to the crowds concerning John: What went ye out into the wilderness to behold? a reed shaken by the wind?
25. But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in delicate garments? Behold, those who are in splendid clothing and live luxuriously are in the courts of kings.
26. But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say to you, and what is more excellent than a prophet.
27. This is he concerning whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee;
28. for I say unto you, Among them that are born of women a greater prophet is no one than John the baptist; but he who is a little one in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
29. (And all the people who heard it, and the tax-gatherers, justified God, having been baptised with the baptism of John;
30. but the Pharisees and the lawyers rendered null as to themselves the counsel of God, not having been baptised by him.)