²⁴ And when the messengers of John were gone forth [And when the messengers of John had gone away], he began to say of John to the people, What went ye out into desert to see? a reed wagged with the wind [a reed waved with the wind]?

²⁵ But what went ye out to see? a man clothed with soft clothes? Lo! they that be in [a] precious cloak [Lo! they that be in precious cloth] and in delights, be in kings' houses.

²⁶ But what went ye out to see? a prophet? Yea, I say to you, and more than a prophet.