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

2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,b

“Behold, I send my messenger before thy face,

who shall prepare thy way;

3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:

Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight—”

4 John the baptizer appeared* in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And there went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”