⁷ He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.

⁴ Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.”^(A)

³³ You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth.^{(A) 34} Not that I accept such human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. ³⁵ He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.^(B)

³⁶ and as he watched Jesus walk by he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!”^(A)

³² And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.^{(A) 33} I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’^{(B) 34} And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Chosen One.”^[a]

²⁶ They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”^{(A) 27} John answered, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven.^{(B) 28} You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah,^[a] but I have been sent ahead of him.’^{(C) 29} He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom who stands and hears him rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled.^{(D) 30} He must increase, but I must decrease.”^[b]

The One Who Comes from Heaven

³¹ The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all.^{(E) 32} He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony.^{(F) 33} Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified^[c] this, that God is true.^{(G) 34} He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.^{(H) 35} The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands.^{(I) 36} Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life but must endure God’s wrath.^(J)

¹⁵ (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ ”)

¹² But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God,^(A)

⁹ The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.^[a](A)