^{1 Ref} A beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, Son of God.

^{2 Ref} As it hath been written in the prophets, `Lo, I send My messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee,' --

^{3 Ref} `A voice of one calling in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, straight make ye his paths,' --

^{4 Ref} John came baptizing in the wilderness, and proclaiming a baptism of reformation -- to remission of sins,

^{5 Ref} and there were going forth to him all the region of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and they were all baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

^{6 Ref} And John was clothed with camel's hair, and a girdle of skin around his loins, and eating locusts and honey of the field,

^{7 Ref} and he proclaimed, saying, `He doth come -- who is mightier than I -- after me, of whom I am not worthy -- having stooped down -- to loose the latchet of his sandals;

^{8 Ref} I indeed did baptize you with water, but he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.'

^{9 Ref} And it came to pass in those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John at the Jordan;

^{10 Ref} and immediately coming up from the water, he saw the heavens dividing, and the Spirit as a dove coming down upon him;

^{11 Ref} and a voice came out of the heavens, `Thou art My Son -- the Beloved, in whom I did delight.'

^{12 Ref} And immediately doth the Spirit put him forth to the wilderness,