out into the Desert to gaze at? A reed waving in the wind?
011:008 But what did you go out to see? A man luxuriously dressed?
Those who wear luxurious clothes are to be found in kings' palaces.
011:009 But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you,
and far more than a prophet.
011:010 This is he of whom it is written, "`See I am sending My messenger
before Thy face, and he will make Thy road ready before Thee.'
011:011 "I solemnly tell you that among all of woman born no
greater has ever been raised up than John the Baptist;
yet one who is of lower rank in the Kingdom of the Heavens
is greater than he.
011:012 But from the time of John the Baptist till now, the Kingdom
of the Heavens has been suffering violent assault,
and the violent have been seizing it by force.
011:013 For all the Prophets and the Law taught until John.
011:014 And (if you are willing to receive it) he is the Elijah
who was to come.
011:015 Listen, every one who has ears!
011:016 "But to what shall I compare the present generation?
It is like children sitting in the open places, who call
to their playmates.
011:017 "`We have played the flute to you,' they say, `and you
have not danced: we have sung dirges, and you have not
beaten your breasts.'
011:018 "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say,
`He has a demon.'
011:019 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they exclaim,
`See this man!--given to gluttony and tippling,
and a friend of tax-gatherers and notorious sinners!'
And yet Wisdom is vindicated by her actions."