24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to say to the multitudes concerning John, What did you{} go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken with the wind?

25 But what did you{} go out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Look, those who are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

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

27 This is he of whom it is written, Look, I send my messenger before your face, Who will prepare your way before you.

28 I say to you{}, Among those who are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

29 And all the people when they heard, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected for themselves the counsel of God, not being baptized of him.