| 1 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the
Son of God.
2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet: \"I will send my
messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your
way\" --
3 \"a voice of one calling in the desert, \'Prepare the way
for the Lord, make straight paths for him.\' \"
4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and
preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgive-
ness of sins.
5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of
Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins,
they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
6 John wore clothing made of camel\'s hair, with a
leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and
wild honey.
7 And this was his message: \"After me will come one
more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I
am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with
the Holy Spirit.\"
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