John’s Testimony about Jesus

22 After this, Jesus and His disciples went into the Judean countryside, [where] He spent some time with them and baptized.

23 Now John was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because [the] water was plentiful there, and [people] kept coming to be baptized. 24 (For John {had} not yet been thrown into prison.)

25 Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples [and] [a certain] Jew[fn] over [the issue of] ceremonial washing. 26 So [John’s disciples] came to [him] and said “Look, Rabbi, the [One who] was with you beyond the Jordan, the One you testified about—He is baptizing, and everyone is going to Him.”

27 John replied “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’ 29 The bride belongs to [the] bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, [and] is overjoyed [to hear] the bridegroom’s voice. That joy [is] mine, [and] it is now complete. 30 He must increase; I [must] decrease.

31 The [One who] comes from above is above all. The [one who] is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks [as one] from the earth. The [One who] comes from heaven is above all.[fn] 32 He testifies to what He has seen and heard, yet no one accepts His testimony. 33 Whoever accepts His testimony has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the [One] whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for [God] gives the Spirit without limit.

35 The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”[fn]