23. John replied, "I am a voice crying out in the wilderness, Make the Lord’s path straight, just as the prophet Isaiah said."
24. Those sent by the Pharisees
25. asked, "Why do you baptize if you aren’t the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?"
26. John answered, "I baptize with water. Someone greater stands among you, whom you don’t recognize.
27. He comes after me, but I’m not worthy to untie his sandal straps."
28. This encounter took place across the Jordan in Bethany where John was baptizing.
29. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
30. This is the one about whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is really greater than me because he existed before me.’