New Living Translation NLT
New International Version NIV
19 This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?”
19
Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.
20 He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”
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He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “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.”
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They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”
22 “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”
22
Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you 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!’”
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John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ”
24 Then the Pharisees who had been sent
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Now 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?”
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questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize.
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“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know.
27 Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”
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He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
28 This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.
28
This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
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