¹¹ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

⁸ Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,^(A) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles^(B) the boundless riches of Christ,^(C)

⁹ For I am the least of the apostles^(A) and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted^(B) the church of God.^(C)

²⁵ Now to him who is able^(A) to establish you in accordance with my gospel,^(B) the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery^(C) hidden for long ages past, ²⁶ but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings^(D) by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from^[a] faith^(E)—

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.”

⁴⁰ since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us^(A) would they be made perfect.^(B)

⁴ Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church?

³⁹ By this he meant the Spirit,^(A) whom those who believed in him were later to receive.^(B) Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.^(C)

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

³⁰ He must become greater; I must become less.”^[a]