18. No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
19. And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you?
20. And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.
21. And they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? And he said, I am not. Are you that prophet? And he answered, No.
22. Then said they unto him, Who are you? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What say you of yourself?
23. He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaiah.
24. And they who were sent were of the Pharisees.
25. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptize you then, if you are not that Christ, nor Elijah, neither that prophet?
26. John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there stands one among you, whom you know not;
27. He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's thong I am not worthy to unloose.