John the Baptist Exalts Christ

22 After this Jesus went into the Judean countryside along with his disciples, and he spent some time there with them and baptized. 23 Now John was also baptizing in Aenon near [fn]Salem, because there was much water there, and people were coming to him and being baptized. 24 (For John had not yet been thrown into prison.)

25 Now a discussion arose between the disciples of John and [fn]a Jew about purification. 26 So John's disciples came and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with yoʋ beyond the Jordan, about whom yoʋ have testified, behold, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” 27 John replied, “A person cannot receive [fn]anything unless it is given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can [fn]testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but rather, ‘I have been sent ahead of him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”