Living_Oracles(i)
23 Being come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came near, as he was teaching, and said, by what authority do you these things?
24 Jesus answering, said to them, I also have a question to propose, which if you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
25 Whence had John authority to immerse? From heaven or from men? Then they reasoned thus within themselves: If we say, From heaven, he will retort, Why then did you not believe him?
26 And if we say, From men, we dread the multitude, amongst whom John is universally accounted a prophet.
27 They, therefore, answered him, We can not tell. Jesus replied, Neither do I tell you, by what authority I do these things.
28 But what do you think of this? A man had two sons, and addressing his elder son, said, Son, go work today in any vineyard.
29 He answered, I will not, but afterward repented and went.
30 Then addressing the younger, he bade him likewise. He answered, Immediately, Sir, but went not.
31 Now, which of the two obeyed his father? They said, The first. Jesus replied, Indeed, I say to you, even the publicans and harlots show you the way into the kingdom of God.
32 For John came to you in the way of sanctity, and you believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him: yet you who saw this, did not afterward repent and believe him.