^{26 Ref} and they came unto John, and said to him, `Rabbi, he who was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou didst testify, lo, this one is baptizing, and all are coming unto him.'

^{27 Ref} John answered and said, `A man is not able to receive anything, if it may not have been given him from the heaven;

^{28 Ref} ye yourselves do testify to me that I said, I am not the Christ, but, that I am having been sent before him;

^{29 Ref} he who is having the bride is bridegroom, and the friend of the bridegroom, who is standing and hearing him, with joy doth rejoice because of the voice of the bridegroom; this, then, my joy hath been fulfilled.

^{30 Ref} `Him it behoveth to increase, and me to become less;