²⁵ Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over ^(A)purification. ²⁶ And they came to John and said to him, ^(B)“Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, ^(C)to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and ^(D)all are going to him.” ²⁷ John answered, ^(E)“A person cannot receive even one thing ^(F)unless it is given him ^(G)from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ^(H)‘I am not the Christ, but ^(I)I have been sent before him.’ ^29 (J)The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. ^(K)The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, ^(L)rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. ^30 (M)He must increase, but I must decrease.”^[a]

A Question About Fasting

¹⁸ Now ^(A)John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, ^(B)“Why do John's disciples and ^(C)the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” ¹⁹ And Jesus said to them, ^(D)“Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. ^20 (E)The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and ^(F)then they will fast in that day.

^25 (A)Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and ^(B)gave himself up for her, ²⁶ that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by ^(C)the washing of water ^(D)with the word, ²⁷ so ^(E)that he might present the church to himself in splendor, ^(F)without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.^{[a] 28} In the same way ^(G)husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, ³⁰ because ^(H)we are members of his body.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

⁶ Then I heard what seemed to be ^(A)the voice of a great multitude, like ^(B)the roar of many waters and ^(C)like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

for the fine linen is ^(H)the righteous deeds of the saints.

⁹ And the angel said^[a] to me, “Write this: ^(I)Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, ^(J)“These are the true words of God.”