⁷ He came as a witness to testify^(A) concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.^(B)

⁴ Paul said, “John’s baptism^(A) was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”^(B)

³² Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.^{(A) 33} And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water^(B) told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’^{(C) 34} I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”^[a](D)

³³ “You have sent to John and he has testified^(A) to the truth. ³⁴ Not that I accept human testimony;^(B) but I mention it that you may be saved.^{(C) 35} John was a lamp that burned and gave light,^(D) and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

²⁶ They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi,^(A) that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified^(B) about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

²⁷ To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’^{(C) 29} The bride belongs to the bridegroom.^(D) The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.^{(E) 30} He must become greater; I must become less.”^[a]

³¹ The one who comes from above^(F) is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth.^(G) The one who comes from heaven is above all. ³² He testifies to what he has seen and heard,^(H) but no one accepts his testimony.^{(I) 33} Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. ³⁴ For the one whom God has sent^(J) speaks the words of God, for God^[b] gives the Spirit^(K) without limit. ³⁵ The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.^{(L) 36} Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,^(M) but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

³⁶ When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”^(A)

John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah

¹⁹ Now this was John’s^(A) testimony when the Jewish leaders^[a](B) in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.

²⁶ “I baptize with^[a] water,”^(A) John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. ²⁷ He is the one who comes after me,^(B) the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”^(C)

¹⁵ (John testified^(A) 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.’”)^(B)