²⁵ And as John was finishing his course, ^(A)he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’

^11 (A)“I baptize you with water ^(B)for repentance, but ^(C)he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you ^(D)with the Holy Spirit and ^(E)fire.

²⁶ John answered them, ^(A)“I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, ²⁷ even ^(B)he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

⁷ And he preached, saying, ^(A)“After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.

²⁴ But ^(A)I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only ^(B)I may finish my course and ^(C)the ministry ^(D)that I received from the Lord Jesus, ^(E)to testify to ^(F)the gospel of ^(G)the grace of God.

^20 (A)He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” ²¹ And they asked him, “What then? ^(B)Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you ^(C)the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” ²² So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” ²³ He said, “I am ^(D)the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight^[a] the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

¹⁵ As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, ^(A)whether he might be ^(B)the Christ, ^16 (C)John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but ^(D)he who is mightier than I is coming, ^(E)the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you ^(F)with the Holy Spirit and ^(G)fire.

⁷ And when they have finished their testimony, ^(A)the beast that rises from ^(B)the bottomless pit^{[a] (C)}will make war on them and conquer them and kill them,

^7 (A)I have fought the good fight, ^(B)I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.