John 1:9-20

New International Version

⁹ The true light^(A) that gives light to everyone^(B) was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him,^(C) the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.^{(D) 12} Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed^(E) in his name,^(F) he gave the right to become children of God^(G)— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.^(H)

¹⁴ The Word became flesh^(I) and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory,^(J) the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace^(K) and truth.^(L)

¹⁵ (John testified^(M) concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”)^{(N) 16} Out of his fullness^(O) we have all received grace^(P) in place of grace already given. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses;^(Q) grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.^{(R) 18} No one has ever seen God,^(S) but the one and only Son, who is himself God and^[a](T) is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah

¹⁹ Now this was John’s^(U) testimony when the Jewish leaders^[b](V) in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. ²⁰ He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”^(W)