Paul said,“ John baptized people, calling them to turn away from their sins. He told them to believe in the one who was coming after him. Jesus is that one.”

保罗说：“约翰所行的是悔改的洗，告诉百姓当信那在他以后要来的，就是耶稣。”

保罗说：“约翰所施的是悔改的洗礼，他告诉百姓当信那在他以后要来的那位，就是耶稣。”

保罗说：“约翰所施的是悔改的洗礼，他告诉百姓当信那在他以后要来的那位，就是耶稣。”

保罗说：“约翰的洗礼是悔改的洗礼，约翰告诉百姓要信在他以后来的那位——耶稣。”

保罗说：“约翰施的是悔改的洗礼，他告诉人民当信在他以后要来的那一位，就是耶稣。”

保罗说：“约翰所施的是悔改的洗礼，他告诉民众当相信在他以后来的那一位，就是相信耶稣。”

保羅說：「約翰所行的是悔改的洗，告訴百姓當信那在他以後要來的，就是耶穌。」

保羅說：「約翰所施的是悔改的洗禮，他告訴百姓當信那在他以後要來的那位，就是耶穌。」

保羅說：「約翰所施的是悔改的洗禮，他告訴百姓當信那在他以後要來的那位，就是耶穌。」

保羅說：「約翰的洗禮是悔改的洗禮，約翰告訴百姓要信在他以後來的那位——耶穌。」

保羅說：“約翰施的是悔改的洗禮，他告訴人民當信在他以後要來的那一位，就是耶穌。”

保羅說：『約翰是用悔改的洗禮施洗的；他告訴人要信那在他以後來的，就是要信耶穌。』

保羅說：「約翰所施的是悔改的洗禮，他告訴民眾當相信在他以後來的那一位，就是相信耶穌。」

保羅曰、約翰施改悔之洗、謂民當信後己而來者、即耶穌也、

保羅曰、約翰施悔改之洗、謂民當信後至者耶穌基督也、

保羅曰、約翰施悔改之洗禮、告民當信後己而來者、即基督耶穌、

葆樂曰：『如望所施、乃悔改洗禮、明言當信後彼來者：即耶穌是已。』

Paul said,“ John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”

And Paul said,“ John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.”

Paul said,“ John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.”

Paul said,“ John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.”

Paul said,“ John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”

Then Paul said,“ John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”

And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus.

Paul said,“ John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people that they should believe in the One who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.”

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

Paul said,“ John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.”

Paul said,“ John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.”

He came to be a witness about that light. He was a witness so that all people might believe.

He is the one who comes after me. I am not good enough to untie his sandals.”

“ From this man’s family line God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus. This is what he had promised.Before Jesus came, John preached that we should turn away from our sins and be baptized. He preached this to all Israel.John was coming to the end of his work.‘ Who do you suppose I am?’ he said.‘ I am not the one you are looking for. But there is someone coming after me. I am not good enough to untie his sandals.’

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him. John said,“ Look! The Lamb of God! He takes away the sin of the world!This is the one I was talking about. I said,‘ A man who comes after me is more important than I am. That’s because he existed before I was born.’I did not know him. But God wants to make it clear to Israel who this person is. That’s the reason I came baptizing with water.”Then John told them,“ I saw the Holy Spirit come down from heaven like a dove. The Spirit remained on Jesus.I myself did not know him. But the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,‘ You will see the Spirit come down and remain on someone. He is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’I have seen it happen. I am a witness that this is God’s Chosen One.”

They asked Jesus,“ Are you the one who is supposed to come? Or should we look for someone else?”Jesus replied,“ Go back to John. Report to him what you hear and see.Blind people receive sight. Disabled people walk. Those who have skin diseases are made‘ clean.’ Deaf people hear. Those who are dead are raised to life. And the good news is preached to those who are poor.

This is the beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.Long ago Isaiah the prophet wrote,“ I will send my messenger ahead of you. He will prepare your way.”( Malachi 3:1)“ A messenger is calling out in the desert,‘ Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for him.’ ”( Isaiah 40:3)And so John the Baptist appeared in the desert. He preached that people should be baptized and turn away from their sins. Then God would forgive them.All the people from the countryside of Judea went out to him. All the people from Jerusalem went too. When they admitted they had sinned, John baptized them in the Jordan River.John wore clothes made out of camel’s hair. He had a leather belt around his waist. And he ate locusts and wild honey.Here is what John was preaching.“ After me, there is someone coming who is more powerful than I am. I’m not good enough to bend down and untie his sandals.I baptize you with water. But he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee. John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River.Jesus was coming up out of the water. Just then he saw heaven being torn open. Jesus saw the Holy Spirit coming down on him like a dove.A voice spoke to him from heaven. It said,“ You are my Son, and I love you. I am very pleased with you.”At once the Holy Spirit sent Jesus out into the desert.

John was a witness about the Word. John cried out and said,“ This was the one I was talking about. I said,‘ He who comes after me is more important than I am. He is more important because he existed before I was born.’ ”

You yourselves are witnesses that I said,‘ I am not the Messiah. I was sent ahead of him.’The bride belongs to the groom. The friend who helps the groom waits and listens for him. He is full of joy when he hears the groom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.He must become more important. I must become less important.“ The one who comes from above is above everything. The one who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks like someone from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above everything.He is a witness to what he has seen and heard. But no one accepts what he says.Anyone who has accepted it has said,‘ Yes. God is truthful.’The one whom God has sent speaks God’s words. That’s because God gives the Holy Spirit without limit.The Father loves the Son and has put everything into his hands.Anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life. Anyone who does not believe in the Son will not have life. God’s anger remains on them.”

“ I baptize you with water, calling you to turn away from your sins. But after me, someone is coming who is more powerful than I am. I’m not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.His pitchfork is in his hand to clear the straw from his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the storeroom. But he will burn up the husks with fire that can’t be put out.”

John answered them all,“ I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I am will come. I’m not good enough to untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.His pitchfork is in his hand to toss the straw away from his threshing floor. He will gather the wheat into his barn. But he will burn up the husks with fire that can’t be put out.”John said many other things to warn the people. He also announced the good news to them.

Where did John’s baptism come from? Was it from heaven? Or did it come from human authority?” They talked to one another about it. They said,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will ask,‘ Then why didn’t you believe him?’But what if we say,‘ From human authority’? We are afraid of the people. Everyone believes that John was a prophet.”So they answered Jesus,“ We don’t know.” Jesus said,“ Then I won’t tell you by what authority I am doing these things either.“ What do you think about this? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said,‘ Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’“‘ I will not,’ the son answered. But later he changed his mind and went.“ Then the father went to the other son. He said the same thing. The son answered,‘ I will, sir.’ But he did not go.“ Which of the two sons did what his father wanted?”“ The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them,“ What I’m about to tell you is true. Tax collectors and prostitutes will enter the kingdom of God ahead of you.John came to show you the right way to live. And you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. You saw this. But even then you did not turn away from your sins and believe him.

Then I remembered the Lord’s words.‘ John baptized with water,’ he had said.‘ But you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

“ You have sent people to John the Baptist. He has been a witness to the truth.I do not accept what a person says. I only talk about what John says so that you can be saved.John was like a lamp that burned and gave light. For a while you chose to enjoy his light.

John baptized with water. But in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

“ And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare the way for him.You will tell his people how they can be saved. You will tell them that their sins can be forgiven.All of that will happen because our God is tender and caring. His kindness will bring the rising sun to us from heaven.It will shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death. It will guide our feet on the path of peace.”