¹² From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence,^[a] and violent people have been raiding it. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.^{(A) 14} And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.^{(B) 15} Whoever has ears, let them hear.^(C)

¹⁶ “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

¹⁸ For John came neither eating^(D) nor drinking,^(E) and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ ¹⁹ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’^(F) But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Woe on Unrepentant Towns^(G)

²⁰ Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. ²¹ “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!^(H) For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon,^(I) they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.^{(J) 22} But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.^{(K) 23} And you, Capernaum,^(L) will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.^[b](M) For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. ²⁴ But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”^(N)

The Father Revealed in the Son^(O)

²⁵ At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father,^(P) Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.^{(Q) 26} Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.