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1 2The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John,
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calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one 3who is to come, or 4shall we look for another? ”
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And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one 5who is to come, or 6shall we look for another? ’”
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In that hour 7he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and 8on many who were blind he bestowed sight.
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And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: 9the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, 10lepers are cleansed, and 11the deaf hear, 12the dead are raised up, 13the poor have good news preached to them.
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And blessed is the one who is 14not offended by me. ”
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When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out 15into the wilderness to see? 16A reed shaken by the wind?
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What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts.
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What then did you go out to see? 17A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
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This is he of whom it is written, 18“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you. ’
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I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. ”
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( 19When all the people heard this, and 20the tax collectors too, they declared God just, 21having been baptized with 22the baptism of John,
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23but the Pharisees and 24the lawyers 25rejected 26the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. )
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“To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?
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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. ’
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For John the Baptist has come 27eating no bread and 28drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon. ’
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The Son of Man has come 29eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, 30a friend of tax collectors and sinners! ’
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Yet 31wisdom is justified by all her children. ”