24. For John had not yet been put in prison.
25. Then a dispute arose between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about ceremonial cleansing.
26. They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, look, He is baptizing, and everyone is going to Him.”
27. John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.
28. You yourselves bear witness of me, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but ‘I have been sent before Him.’
29. He who has the bride is the bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
30. He must increase, but I must decrease.”