1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, God’s Son,
2 happened just as it was written about in the prophecy of Isaiah: Look, I am sending my messenger before you. He will prepare your way,
3 a voice shouting in the wilderness: "Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight."
4 John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins.
5 Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to the Jordan River and were being baptized by John as they confessed their sins.
6 John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.
7 He announced, "One stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not even worthy to bend over and loosen the strap of his sandals.