Revised Standard Version w/ Apocrypha RSVA
New International Version NIV
19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "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 confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ."
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He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”
21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" And he answered, "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 They said to him then, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you 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 He said, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said."
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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 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.
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Now the Pharisees who had been sent
25 They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?"
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questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 John answered them, "I baptize with water; but among you stands one whom you do not know,
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“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know.
27 even he who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie."
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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 took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
28
This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
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.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.