³¹ So my people come to you in crowds,^[a] sit in front of you, and hear your words, but they don’t obey them. Their mouths go on passionately, but their hearts pursue dishonest profit. ³² Yes, to them you are like a singer of passionate songs who has a beautiful voice and plays skilfully on an instrument. They hear your words, but they don’t obey them.

²⁰ because Herod feared^(A) John and protected him, knowing he was a righteous^(B) and holy^(C) man. When Herod heard him he would be very perplexed,^[a](D) and yet he liked to listen to him.^(E)

³⁵ John^[a](A) was a burning and shining lamp,^(B) and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.^(C)