^{1 Ref} The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

^{2 Ref} As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

^{3 Ref} The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

^{4 Ref} John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

^{5 Ref} And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

^{6 Ref} And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

^{7 Ref} And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

^{8 Ref} I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.