CLV(i)
2 Now John, hearing in the prison of the works of Christ, sending through his disciples,
3 said to Him, "Art Thou the coming One, or may we be hoping for a different One?
4 And answering, Jesus said to them, "Go, report to John what you are hearing and observing:"
5 The blind are receiving sight, and the lame are walking; lepers are being cleansed, and the deaf are hearing, and the dead are being roused, and to the poor the evangel is being brought."
6 And happy is he who should not be snared in Me."
7 Now, at their going, Jesus begins to be saying to the throngs concerning John, "What do you come out into the wilderness to gaze at? A reed being shaken by the wind?
8 But what do you come out to perceive? A man garbed in soft garment? Lo! those wearing soft garments are in the houses of kings.
9 But for what do you come out? A prophet to perceive? Yes, I am saying to you, and exceedingly more than a prophet."
10 This is he concerning whom it is written, 'Lo! I am dispatching My messenger before Thy face, who shall be constructing Thy road in front of Thee.'"
11 Verily, I am saying to you, Not among those born of women has there been roused a greater than John the baptist. Yet he who is smaller, in the kingdom of the heavens is greater than he."
12 Now, from the days of John the baptist hitherto, the kingdom of the heavens is being violently forced and the violent are snatching it."
13 For all the prophets and the law prophesy till John.
14 And, if you are willing to receive him, he is Elijah who is about to be coming."
15 Who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
16 Now to what shall I be likening this generation? Like is it to little boys and girls sitting in the markets, who, shouting to the others,
17 are saying, 'We flute to you and you do not dance! We wail and you do not grieve!'"
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they are saying, 'A demon has he!'"