⁷ And he preached, saying, ^(A)“There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.

²⁵ And as John was finishing his course, he said, ^(A)‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, ^(B)there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’

¹⁶ John answered, saying to all, ^(A)“I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will ^(B)baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

^27 (A)It is He who, coming after me, ^[a]is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.”

^11 (A)I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. ^(B)He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit ^[a]and fire.

²⁸ You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ^(A)‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ^(B)‘I have been sent before Him.’ ^29 (C)He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but ^(D)the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. ^30 (E)He must increase, but I must decrease. ^31 (F)He who comes from above ^(G)is above all; ^(H)he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. ^(I)He who comes from heaven is above all.

⁶ Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. ⁷ Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But ^(A)say the word, and my servant will be healed.

¹⁴ And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”