John Testifies Again About Jesus

²² After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.^{(A) 23} Now John^(B) also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. ²⁴ (This was before John was put in prison.)^{(C) 25} An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.^{(D) 26} They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi,^(E) that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified^(F) 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.’^{(G) 29} The bride belongs to the bridegroom.^(H) 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.^{(I) 30} He must become greater; I must become less.”^[a]