1. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. Just as it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “Behold, I am sending my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way,
3. the voice of one shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!’ ”
4. John was there baptizing in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.