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.)
31. To whom therefore shall I liken the men of this generation, and to whom are they like?
32. They are like children sitting in the market-place, and calling one to another and saying, We have piped to you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.