22 After this, Yeshua and his followers went down to Yudea, and stayed there and immersed some believers. 23 Yohan was also immersing people at Aenon near Salim because there was plenty of water there and people would come to him to get immersed. 24 [ref](At this point in time, Yohan had not yet been put in prison.) 25 Then a debate about purification started between Yohan’s followers and a religious leader.[fn] 26 So some people went to Yohan and said, “Teacher, that man that came to you across the river and that you testified about, now he’s immersing people and so they’re all going to him.”

27 “None of us get anything if it’s not being given from heaven,” Yohan answered. 28 [ref]“You yourselves know that I said that I’m not the messiah, but rather the one coming before him. 29 It’s the groom that has the bride—the best man is happy because he sees that the groom is happy. So I’m actually completely happy with all this. 30 It’s right and proper that he should increase and I should fade out.”

31 “The one who came down from heaven is greater than any of us. We came from this world and speak in our earthly ways. The one who came down from heaven is greater than any of us. 32 He explains about what he’s seen and heard, but people don’t believe him. 33 Anyone who does believe him, confirms that God is true. 34 The one that God sent tells us God’s words, because God doesn’t ration his spirit. 35 [ref]The father loves the son and has put him in charge of everything. 36 Anyone who believes God’s son will live forever, but anyone who disobeys the son won’t be seeing life, but will feel God’s severe anger instead.”