24. for John was not yet cast into the prison--
25. there arose then a question from the disciples of John with [some] Jews about purifying,
26. and they came unto John, and said to him, `Rabbi, he who was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou didst testify, lo, this one is baptizing, and all are coming unto him.'
27. John answered and said, `A man is not able to receive anything, if it may not have been given him from the heaven;
28. ye yourselves do testify to me that I said, I am not the Christ, but, that I am having been sent before him;
29. he who is having the bride is bridegroom, and the friend of the bridegroom, who is standing and hearing him, with joy doth rejoice because of the voice of the bridegroom; this, then, my joy hath been fulfilled.
30. `Him it behoveth to increase, and me to become less;
31. he who from above is coming is above all; he who is from the earth, from the earth he is, and from the earth he speaketh; he who from the heaven is coming is above all.
32. `And what he hath seen and heard this he doth testify, and his testimony none receiveth;
33. he who is receiving his testimony did seal that God is true;
34. for he whom God sent, the sayings of God he speaketh; for not by measure doth God give the Spirit;