¹¹ “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

²⁸ For I say to you, among those born of women there is ^[a]not a ^(A)greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

⁹ For I am ^(A)the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because ^(B)I persecuted the church of God.

Benediction

^25 [a]Now ^(A)to Him who is able to establish you ^(B)according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, ^(C)according to the revelation of the mystery ^(D)kept secret since the world began ²⁶ but ^(E)now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for ^(F)obedience to the faith—

^30 (A)He must increase, but I must decrease.

^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.

Purpose of the Mystery

⁸ To me, ^(A)who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles ^(B)the unsearchable riches of Christ,

⁴¹ Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign, ^(A)but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.”

^39 (A)But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those ^[a]believing in Him would receive; for the ^[b]Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet ^(B)glorified.