¹⁵ As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,

¹⁹ This is John's testimony, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"

²⁰ He confessed, and didn't deny, but he confessed, "I am not the Christ."

²¹ They asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No."

²² They said therefore to him, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"

²³ He said, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as Isaiah the prophet said."

²⁴ The ones who had been sent were from the Pharisees.

²⁵ They asked him, "Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"

²⁶ John answered them, "I baptize in water, but among you stands one whom you don't know.

²⁷ He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I'm not worthy to loosen."

²⁸ These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

²⁸ You yourselves testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before him.'

²⁹ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. This, my joy, therefore is made full.

²⁴ The Jews therefore came around him and said to him, "How long will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."