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

³⁹ He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.^(A)

⁴¹ The men of Nineveh^(A) will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah,^(B) and now something greater than Jonah is here.

⁴² The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came^(A) from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.

⁴⁵ Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.^(A) That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

⁴ A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.”^(A) Jesus then left them and went away.

¹⁷ “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”

³⁶ Truly I tell you, all this will come on this generation.^(A)

³⁴ Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.^(A)

¹² He sighed deeply^(A) and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.”