John 1:19-34
NLT[1] (19) This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” (20) He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.” (21) “Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?” “No,” he replied. “Are you the Prophet we are expecting?” “No.” (22) “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?” (23) John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the LORD ‘s coming!'” (24) Then the Pharisees who had been sent (25) asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?” (26) John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. (27) Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.” (28) This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing. (29) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (30) He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ (31) I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.” (32) Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. (33) I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ (34) I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God. ” |
NRSV[1] (19) This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” (20) He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” (21) And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” (22) Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” (23) He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord,’ ” as the prophet Isaiah said. (24) Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. (25) They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” (26) John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, (27) the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” (28) This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing. (29) The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (30) This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ (31) I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” (32) And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. (33) I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ (34) And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.” |