Preaching of John the Baptist

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, athe Son of God.

2 aAs it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“bBehold, I send My messenger 1ahead of You,

Who will prepare Your way;

3 aThe voice of one crying in the wilderness,

‘Make ready the way of the Lord,

Make His paths straight.’ ”

4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness 1apreaching a baptism of repentance for the bforgiveness of sins.

5 And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

6 John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore aa leather belt around his waist, and 1his diet was locusts and wild honey.

7 And he was 1preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.

8 “I baptized you 1with water; but He will baptize you 1with the Holy Spirit.”