24 And after John's messengers departed, he began to say to the multitudes about John, What did ye go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

25 But what did ye go out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those in elegant clothing, and existing in luxury, are in kingly places.

26 But what did ye go out to see? A prophet? Yea, I say to you, and much more than a prophet.

27 This is he about whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who will prepare thy way before thee.

28 For I say to you, among men born of women there is not one prophet greater than John the immerser, yet the smaller in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

29 And all the people having heard, and the tax collectors who were immersed the immersion of John, justified God.

30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers who were not immersed by him, rejected the purpose of God for themselves.