1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ.2Just as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Look, I am sending my angel before your face, who will prepare your way.3The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.4John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.5And all the Judean countryside and all the Jerusalemites were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.6John was clothed with camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and he was eating locusts and wild honey.7He preached, saying, After me comes one stronger than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.8I baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.