^{1 Ref} The first words of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

^{2 Ref} Even as it is said in the book of Isaiah the prophet, See, I send my servant before your face, who will make ready your way;

^{3 Ref} The voice of one crying in the waste land, Make ready the way of the Lord, make his roads straight;

^{4 Ref} John came, and gave baptism in the waste land, preaching baptism as a sign of forgiveness of sin for those whose hearts were changed.

^{5 Ref} And there went out to him all the people of Judaea, and all those of Jerusalem, and they were given baptism by him in the river Jordan, saying that they were sinners.

^{6 Ref} And John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather band about him; and his food was locusts and honey.

^{7 Ref} And he said to them all, There is one coming after me who is greater than I, whose shoes I am not good enough to undo.

^{8 Ref} I have given you baptism with water, but he will give you baptism with the Holy Spirit.