31 “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another,

“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
    we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’

33 For John the Baptist has come (A)eating no bread and (B)drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man has come (C)eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, (D)a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 Yet (E)wisdom is justified by all her children.”

Read full chapter

31 “To what can I compare the people of this generation?” Jesus asked. “How can I describe them? 32 They are like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,

‘We played wedding songs,
    and you didn’t dance,
so we played funeral songs,
    and you didn’t weep.’

33 For John the Baptist didn’t spend his time eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man,[a] on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.[b]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 7:34 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
  2. 7:35 Or But wisdom is justified by all her children.