²³ for ^(A)all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

3 ^(A)In those days ^(B)John the Baptist came preaching in ^(C)the wilderness of Judea, ^2 (D)“Repent, for ^(E)the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”^[a]

^11 (A)“I baptize you with water ^(B)for repentance, but ^(C)he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you ^(D)with the Holy Spirit and ^(E)fire.

^9 (A)If we confess our sins, he is ^(B)faithful and just to forgive us our sins and ^(C)to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.