³⁵ He was a burning and shining light, and for a time you were ready to be happy in his light.

¹⁹ And so the words of the prophets are made more certain; and it is well for you to give attention to them as to a light shining in a dark place, till the dawn comes and the morning star is seen in your hearts;

²⁶ But if we say, From men; we are in fear of the people, because all take John to be a prophet.

¹⁵ Where then is that happy condition of yours? because I give you witness, that, if possible, you would have taken out your eyes and given them to me.

¹⁶ So then am I no longer your friend, because I give you true words?

⁶⁶ Because of what he said, a number of the disciples went back and would no longer go with him.

⁷ He came for witness, to give witness about the light, so that all men might have faith through him.

⁸ He himself was not the light: he was sent to give witness about the light.

²⁸ I say to you, Among all the sons of women, not one is greater than John: but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

⁷⁶ And you, child, will be named the prophet of the Most High: you will go before the face of the Lord, to make ready his ways;

⁷⁷ To give knowledge of salvation to his people, through the forgiveness of sins,

¹⁵ For he will be great in the eyes of the Lord; he will not take wine or strong drink; and he will be full of the Spirit of God from his birth.

¹⁶ And through him great numbers of the children of Israel will be turned to the Lord their God.

¹⁷ And he will go before his face in the spirit and power of Elijah, turning the hearts of fathers to their children, and wrongdoers to the way of righteousness; to make ready a people whose hearts have been turned to the Lord.

²⁰ For Herod was in fear of John, being conscious that he was an upright and holy man, and kept him safe. And hearing him, he was much troubled; and he gave ear to him gladly.

²⁰ And that which went on the stones, this is he who, hearing the word, straight away takes it with joy;

²¹ But having no root in himself, he goes on for a time; and when trouble comes or pain, because of the word, he quickly becomes full of doubts.

¹¹ Truly I say to you, Among the sons of women there has not been a greater than John the Baptist: but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

⁷ And when they were going away, Jesus, talking of John, said to all the people, What went you out into the waste land to see? a tall stem moving in the wind?

⁸ But what went you out to see? a man delicately clothed? Those who have fair robes are in kings' houses.

⁹ But why did you go out? to see a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.

⁵ Then Jerusalem and all Judaea went out to him, and all the people from near Jordan;

⁶ And they were given baptism by him in the river Jordan, saying openly that they had done wrong.

⁷ But when he saw a number of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, Offspring of snakes, at whose word are you going in flight from the wrath to come?

³¹ And they come to you as my people come, and are seated before you as my people, hearing your words but doing them not: for deceit is in their mouth and their heart goes after profit for themselves.