1
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, "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."
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (Revised Standard Version)
