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Back In Jerusalem
17. And when Jmmanuel returned again to the temple and taught, the chief priests, scribes, and the elders of the people came to him and asked, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you the authority?"
18. But Jmmanuel answered, saying to them, "l, too, want to ask you a question, and if you answer it, I will tell you by whose authority I am doing everything.
19. "Whence came the baptism of john? From Creation or from men?"
20. They pondered the question and spoke among themselves. "If we say it was through Creation, then he will reply, ‘Why don’t you trust in it, and why aren’t you following its laws?’
21. "But if we say it was through men, then we must fear the people because they consider John a prophet:'
22. And so they answered Jmmanuel, saying, "We don't know."
23. Thereupon he replied to them, "You brood of snakes and vipers; neither will I tell you by whose authority I act.