¹² But to all who did receive him, ^(A)who believed in his name, ^(B)he gave the right ^(C)to become ^(D)children of God,

For God So Loved the World

¹⁶ “For ^(A)God so loved ^(B)the world,^{[a] (C)}that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not ^(D)perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For ^(E)God did not send his Son into the world ^(F)to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ^18 (G)Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not ^(H)believed in the name of the only Son of God. ^19 (I)And this is the judgment: ^(J)the light has come into the world, and ^(K)people loved the darkness rather than the light because ^(L)their works were evil. ^20 (M)For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, ^(N)lest his works should be exposed. ²¹ But whoever ^(O)does what is true ^(P)comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

John the Baptist Exalts Christ

²² After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and ^(Q)was baptizing. ²³ John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized ²⁴ (for ^(R)John had not yet been put in prison).

²⁵ Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over ^(S)purification. ²⁶ And they came to John and said to him, ^(T)“Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, ^(U)to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and ^(V)all are going to him.” ²⁷ John answered, ^(W)“A person cannot receive even one thing ^(X)unless it is given him ^(Y)from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ^(Z)‘I am not the Christ, but ^(AA)I have been sent before him.’ ^29 (AB)The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. ^(AC)The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, ^(AD)rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. ^30 (AE)He must increase, but I must decrease.”^[b]

^31 (AF)He who comes from above ^(AG)is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and ^(AH)speaks in an earthly way. ^(AI)He who comes from heaven ^(AJ)is above all. ^32 (AK)He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, ^(AL)yet no one receives his testimony. ³³ Whoever receives his testimony ^(AM)sets his seal to this, ^(AN)that God is true. ³⁴ For he whom ^(AO)God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit ^(AP)without measure. ^35 (AQ)The Father loves the Son and ^(AR)has given all things into his hand. ^36 (AS)Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; ^(AT)whoever does not obey the Son shall not ^(AU)see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

²⁴ Truly, truly, I say to you, ^(A)whoever hears my word and ^(B)believes him who sent me has eternal life. He ^(C)does not come into judgment, but ^(D)has passed from death to life.