1. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way;
3. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight.'"
4. John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5. And all the country of Judea was going out to him, and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
6. John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey.