1:3 the voice of one shouting in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

make ¹  his paths straight.’” ² 

1:4 In the wilderness ³  John the baptizer ⁴  began preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵  1:5 People ⁶  from the whole Judean countryside and all of Jerusalem ⁷  were going out to him, and he was baptizing them ⁸  in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. 1:6 John wore a garment made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁹  1:7 He proclaimed, ¹⁰  “One more powerful than I am is coming after me; I am not worthy ¹¹  to bend down and untie the strap ¹²  of his sandals. 1:8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”