John 3:22-36

22Later, Jesus and his disciples went to the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them and baptized people.

23John was baptizing in Aenon, near Salim. Water was plentiful there. (People came to John to be baptized,

24since John had not yet been put in prison.)

25Some of John’s disciples had an argument with a Jew about purification ceremonies.

26So they went to John and asked him, “Rabbi, do you remember the man you spoke so favorably about when he was with you on the other side of the Jordan River? Well, he’s baptizing, and everyone is going to him!”

27John answered, “People can’t receive anything unless it has been given to them from heaven.

28You are witnesses that I said, ‘I’m not the Messiah, but I’ve been sent ahead of him.’

29“The groom is the person to whom the bride belongs. The best man, who stands and listens to him, is overjoyed when the groom speaks. This is the joy that I feel.

30He must increase in importance, while I must decrease in importance.

31“The person who comes from above is superior to everyone. I, a person from the earth, know nothing but what is on earth, and that’s all I can talk about. The person who comes from heaven is superior to everyone

32and tells what he has seen and heard. Yet, no one accepts what he says.

33I have accepted what that person said, and I have affirmed that God is truthful.

34The man whom God has sent speaks God’s message. After all, God gives him the Spirit without limit.

35The Father loves his Son and has put everything in his power.

36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, he will see God’s constant anger.”