¹⁶ He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.

³² For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness,^(A) and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors^(B) and the prostitutes^(C) did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent^(D) and believe him.

John the Baptist Prepares the Way^(A)

3 In those days John the Baptist^(B) came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea ² and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven^(C) has come near.” ³ This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

⁴ John’s^(E) clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist.^(F) His food was locusts^(G) and wild honey. ⁵ People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. ⁶ Confessing their sins, they were baptized^(H) by him in the Jordan River.

³ Those who are wise^[a](A) will shine^(B) like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness,^(C) like the stars for ever and ever.^(D)

3 “I will send my messenger,^(A) who will prepare the way before me.^(B) Then suddenly the Lord^(C) you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant,^(D) whom you desire,^(E) will come,” says the Lord Almighty.