AnsweringJesus,they said,"We do not know."And Jesussaidto them, "Norwill I tellyou by whatauthorityI dothese things."
"He capturesthe wiseby their own shrewdness,And the adviceof the cunningis quicklythwarted.
"An oxknowsits owner,And a donkeyits master'smanger,[But] Israeldoes not know,My peopledo not understand."
His watchmenare blind,Allof them knownothing.Allof them are mutedogsunableto bark,Dreamerslyingdown,who loveto slumber;
My peopleare destroyedfor lackof knowledge.Becauseyou have rejectedknowledge,I also will rejectyou from being My priest.Since you have forgottenthe lawof your God,I alsowill forgetyour children.
"Let them alone;they are blindguidesof the blind.And ifa blind manguidesa blind man,bothwill fallinto a pit."
"An eviland adulterousgenerationseeks aftera sign;and a signwill not be givenit, exceptthe signof Jonah."And He leftthem and went away.
And answeringJesus,they said,"We do not know."He alsosaidto them, "Neitherwill I tellyou by whatauthorityI dothese things.
"But shall we say,'From men?"--they were afraidof the people,for everyoneconsideredJohnto have beena realprophet.
And He beganto speakto them in parables:"A manPLANTEDA VINEYARDAND PUTA WALLAROUNDIT, AND DUGA VAT UNDER THE WINE PRESSAND BUILTA TOWER,and rentedit out to vine-growersand went on a journey.
Jesusansweredand saidto him, "Are you the teacherof Israeland do not understandthese things?
He answeredthem, "I toldyou alreadyand you did not listen;whydo you wantto hear[it] again?You do not wantto becomeHis disciplestoo,do you?"
And justas they did not see fitto acknowledgeGodany longer, Godgave them overto a depravedmind,to dothosethings which are not proper,
But to this daywheneverMosesis read,a veilliesovertheir heart;
