Mark 1:1-8 (New International Version)

Mark 1

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

 ²It is written in Isaiah the prophet:
   "I will send my messenger ahead of you,
      who will prepare your way"^[b]—
 ³"a voice of one calling in the desert,
   'Prepare the way for the Lord,
      make straight paths for him.' "^{[c] 4}And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. ⁶John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ⁸I baptize you with^[d] water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."