9. But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
10. 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. Most certainly 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. From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
13. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
14. If you are willing to receive it, this 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, who call to their companions
17. and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’
18. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
19. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”
20. Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent.
21. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
23. You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until today.