^{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.