John 3:22-36

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.”

31The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is from the earth is earthly and speaks in earthly terms. The one who comes from heaven is above all.

32He testifies to what he has seen and heard, and yet no one accepts his testimony.

33The one who has accepted his testimony has affirmed that God is true.

34For the one whom God sent speaks God’s words, since he gives the Spirit without measure.

35The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hands.

36The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.