⁷ And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.^(A)

²⁵ As John was completing his work,^(A) he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for.^(B) But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’^(C)

²⁷ He is the one who comes after me,^(A) the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”^(B)

¹⁶ John answered them all, “I baptize you with^[a] water.^(A) But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with^[b] the Holy Spirit and fire.^(B)

¹¹ “I baptize you with^[a] water for repentance.^(A) But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with^[b] the Holy Spirit^(B) and fire.^(C)

²⁸ You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’^{(A) 29} The bride belongs to the bridegroom.^(B) 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.^{(C) 30} He must become greater; I must become less.”^[a]

³¹ The one who comes from above^(D) is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth.^(E) The one who comes from heaven is above all.

⁶ So Jesus went with them.

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. ⁷ That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.^(A)

¹⁴ But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”