1 The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "Look, I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you. 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way of the Lord. Make his roads straight.'" 4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea went out to him and all those from Jerusalem, and they were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins. 6 And John was clothed with camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, "After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen. 8 I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit."

See also: Matthew 3:1-12; Luke 3:1-9, 15-17; John 1:19-28