New Testament in a Year

¹⁹ “This, then, is the judgment: The light^(A) has come into the world,^(B) and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For everyone who practices wicked things hates^(C) the light and avoids it,^[a] so that his deeds^(D) may not be exposed. ²¹ But anyone who lives by^[b] the truth comes to the light, so that his works^(E) may be shown to be accomplished by God.”^[c]

Jesus and John the Baptist

²² After this, Jesus and His disciples went to the Judean countryside, where He spent time with them and baptized. ²³ John^(F) also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. People were coming and being baptized, ²⁴ since John had not yet been thrown into prison.^(G)

²⁵ Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples^(H) and a Jew^[d] about purification.^{(I) 26} So they came to John and told him, “Rabbi,^(J) the One you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan,^(K) is baptizing—and everyone is flocking to Him.”^(L)

²⁷ John responded, “No one can receive a single thing unless it’s given to him from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah,^(M) but I’ve been sent ahead of Him.’^{(N) 29} He who has the bride^(O) is the groom. But the groom’s friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly^[e] at the groom’s voice. So this joy^(P) of mine is complete. ³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.”

The One from Heaven

³¹ The One who comes from above^(Q) is above all. The one who is from the earth is earthly and speaks in earthly terms.^[f] The One who comes from heaven is above all.^{(R) 32} He testifies^(S) to what He has seen and heard, yet no one accepts His testimony. ³³ The one who has accepted His testimony has affirmed that God is true.^{(T) 34} For God sent Him, and He speaks God’s words, since He^[g] gives the Spirit^(U) without measure. ³⁵ The Father loves the Son^(V) and has given all things into His hands.^{(W) 36} The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who refuses to believe in the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.^(X)