³⁵ John was a lamp that burned and gave light,^(A) and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.

¹⁹ We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable,^(A) and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light^(B) shining in a dark place, until the day dawns^(C) and the morning star^(D) rises in your hearts.^(E)

⁷ He came as a witness to testify^(A) concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.^{(B) 8} He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

¹⁵ Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?^(A)

⁶⁶ From this time many of his disciples^(A) turned back and no longer followed him.

²⁸ I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God^(A) is greater than he.”

¹⁵ for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink,^(A) and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit^(B) even before he is born.^{(C) 16} He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ And he will go on before the Lord,^(D) in the spirit and power of Elijah,^(E) to turn the hearts of the parents to their children^(F) and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”^(G)

²⁰ because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.^(A) When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled^[a]; yet he liked to listen to him.