10. This is he about whom it has been written, HINNENI SHOLEIACH MALACHI (Behold, I will send my messenger) before your face, UPINNAH DERECH LEFANAI (and he will prepare the way before me, [SHEMOT 23:20; MALACHI 3:1]).
11. Omein, I say to you, of those born of women, there has not appeared one greater than Yochanan of the tevilah of teshuva, yet the person with the least chashivut in the Malchut HaShomayim is greater than he.
12. From the days of Yochanan of the tevilah of teshuva until now, the Malchut HaShomayim has been under violent attack and the violent seize it with coercion.
13. For all the Neviim and the Torah prophesied until Yochanan.
14. And, if you are willing it to be mekabel (accept, receive), he is the "Eliyahu," who is to come [MALACHI 3:23].
15. The one having ears, let him hear.
16. But to what will I compare this generation? It is like yeladim sitting in the marketplaces, calling out to one another,
17. We played the chalil (flute) for you, but you did not dance; we sang a kina (lament, funeral dirge) for you, and you did not mourn.
18. For Yochanan came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a shed.
19. The Ben HaAdam [Moshiach] came eating and drinking, and they say, Hinei! A zolel (glutton) and a shikkor (drunkard), a friend of mochesim (tax collectors) and choteim (sinners). Yet, Chochmah (Wisdom) is vindicated by her maasim.
20. Then he began to reproach the shtetlach (villages) in which were accomplished most of his gevurot (mighty deeds), because they did not make teshuva.
21. Oy l'chah (Woe to you!), Korazin! Oy l'chah, Beit Tzaidah! For if in Tzor and Tzidon were accomplished the gevurot that were accomplished among you, they would have made teshuva long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22. Nevertheless, I say to you, it will be more bearable for Tzor and Tzidon than for you on Yom HaDin.
23. And you, Kfar-Nachum, were you lifted up as far as Shomayim? You shall be brought down as far as Sheol [YESHAYAH 14:13,15]. For if in Sdom were accomplished the gevurot that were accomplished among you, Sdom would have a sheerit (remnant) today!