12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been suffering violence,[a] and the violent have been seizing it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if you’re willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who is to come.(A) 15 Let anyone who has ears[b] listen.(B)

An Unresponsive Generation

16 “To what should I compare this generation? It’s like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to other children:

17 We played the flute for you,
but you didn’t dance;
we sang a lament,
but you didn’t mourn![c]

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’(C) 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard,(D) a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’(E) Yet wisdom is vindicated[d] by her deeds.”[e]

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Footnotes

  1. 11:12 Or has been forcefully advancing
  2. 11:15 Other mss add to hear
  3. 11:17 Or beat your chests in grief
  4. 11:19 Or declared right
  5. 11:19 Other mss read children

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