JMNT(i)
16 "Now to what or with whom shall I compare, or say is like, this generation? It exists being like little boys and girls, habitually sitting in the marketplaces, who – constantly shouting to different people –
17 "are repeatedly saying, 'We play the flute and pipe for you folks, and you are not dancing. We lament, wail and sing funeral songs, and yet you folks are not beating your chests or wailing.'
18 "You see, John came neither habitually eating nor constantly drinking, and people are continually saying, 'He continues having and holding a demon (Hellenistic concept and term: = an animistic influence).'
19 "The Son of the Man (the son of mankind; humanity's son; = the son of Adam; or: the Human Being) comes regularly eating and continuously drinking, and people are repeatedly saying, 'Look, see a person [who is] a glutton and a drunkard (one who habitually drinks too much wine), a friend of tax collectors (customs and tribute agents; or: tax farmers) and outcasts (sinners; folks that the religious people considered "worldly" and by way of life ceremonially unclean and thus separated from the religious community: outcasts of society who failed to measure up to religious and cultural standards; irreligious people)!' Well, Wisdom was set and deemed in right relationship with fairness and equity in the Way pointed out – from its deeds (works and actions)!"