⁷ And he preached, saying, ^(A)“There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. ^8 (B)I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you ^(C)with the Holy Spirit.”

John Baptizes Jesus^(D)

^9 (E)It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ^10 (F)And immediately, coming up ^[a]from the water, He saw the heavens ^[b]parting and the Spirit ^(G)descending upon Him like a dove. ¹¹ Then a voice came from heaven, ^(H)“You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

⁹ But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, ^(A)and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ For this is he of whom it is written:

¹¹ “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

^17 (A)From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ^(B)“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven ^[a]is at hand.”

^11 (A)I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. ^(B)He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit ^[a]and fire. ^12 (C)His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will ^(D)burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

¹⁴ And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”

¹⁵ But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.