1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way”—

3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.’ ”

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

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

2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way,

3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight,’ ”

4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

1 This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began 2 just as the prophet Isaiah had written:

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

and he will prepare your way.

3 He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!

Clear the road for him!’ ”

4 This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven.

1 This is the beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God, 2 as the prophet Isaiah wrote:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way.”

3 “This is a voice of one

who calls out in the desert:

‘Prepare the way for the Lord.

Make the road straight for him.’ ”

4 John was baptizing people in the desert and preaching a baptism of changed hearts and lives for the forgiveness of sins.

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

2 Even as it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

Behold, I send my messenger before thy face,

Who shall prepare thy way;

3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness,

Make ye ready the way of the Lord,

Make his paths straight;

4 John came, who baptized in the wilderness and preached the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins.

1 Beginning of the glad tidings of Jesus Christ, Son of God; 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way. 3 Voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 There came John baptising in the wilderness, and preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins.

1 This is the beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 

2 The prophet Isaiah wrote, 

“I am sending my messenger ahead of you 

to prepare the way for you.” 

3 “A voice cries out in the desert: 

‘Prepare the way for the Lord! 

Make his paths straight!’ ” 

4 John the Baptizer was in the desert telling people about a baptism of repentancefor the forgiveness of sins.

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

Look, I am sending My messenger ahead of You,

who will prepare Your way.

3 A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

Prepare the way for the Lord;

make His paths straight!

4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,

who will prepare your way;

3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight,’ ”

4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2 Just as it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

“Behold, I am sending my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way,

3 the voice of one shouting in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way of the Lord,

make straight his paths!’ ”

4 John was there baptizing in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

1 This is the beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2 Long ago Isaiah the prophet wrote,

“I will send my messenger ahead of you.

He will prepare your way.”

3 “A messenger is calling out in the desert,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord.

Make straight paths for him.’ ”

4 And so John came. He baptized people in the desert. He also preached that people should be baptized and turn away from their sins. Then God would forgive them.

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

2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You,

Who will prepare Your way;

3 The 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 preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.