John 3:25–36

²⁵Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. ²⁶And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, ^ato whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all ^bare coming to Him!”

²⁷John answered and said, ^c“A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. ²⁸You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ^d‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ^e‘I have been sent before Him.’ ^29fHe who has the bride is the bridegroom; but ^gthe friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. ^30hHe must increase, but I must decrease. ³¹ⁱHe who comes from above ^jis above all; ^khe who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. ^lHe who comes from heaven is above all. ³²And ^mwhat He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. ³³He who has received His testimony ⁿhas certified that God is true. ^34oFor He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit ^pby measure. ^35qThe Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. ^36rHe who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the ^swrath of God abides on him.”