John 3:22-30

22After this, Jesus and his disciples went to the Judean countryside, where he spent time with them and baptized.

23John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. People were coming and being baptized,

24since John had not yet been thrown into prison.

25Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples and a Jew about purification.

26So they came to John and told him, “Rabbi, the one you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan, is baptizing — and everyone is going to him.”

27John responded, “No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven.

28You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I’ve been sent ahead of him.’

29He who has the bride is the groom. But the groom’s friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the groom’s voice. So this joy of mine is complete.

30He must increase, but I must decrease.”