1 A beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, Son of God.
2 As it hath been written in the prophets, `Lo, I send My messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee,' -- 3 `A voice of one calling in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, straight make ye his paths,' --
4 John came baptizing in the wilderness, and proclaiming a baptism of reformation -- to remission of sins, 5 and there were going forth to him all the region of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and they were all baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and a girdle of skin around his loins, and eating locusts and honey of the field, 7 and he proclaimed, saying, `He doth come -- who is mightier than I -- after me, of whom I am not worthy -- having stooped down -- to loose the latchet of his sandals; 8 I indeed did baptize you with water, but he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.'