John 3:29-31
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man,[a] who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete.(A) 30 He must increase; I must decrease.”(B)
The One from Heaven.[b] 31 The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven [is above all].(C)
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- 3:29 The best man: literally, “the friend of the groom,” the shoshben of Jewish tradition, who arranged the wedding. Competition between him and the groom would be unthinkable.
- 3:31–36 It is uncertain whether these are words by the Baptist, Jesus, or the evangelist. They are reflections on the two preceding scenes.
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