13 They were not God's childrenby nature or becauseof any human desires.God himself was the onewho made them his children.
14 The Word becamea human beingand lived here with us.We saw his true glory,the glory of the only Sonof the Father.From him the complete giftsof undeserved grace and truthhave come down to us.
15 John spoke about him and shouted, “This is the one I told you would come! He is greater than I am, because he was alive before I was born.”
16 Because of all that the Son is, we have been given one blessing after another.
17 The Law was given by Moses, but Jesus Christ brought us undeserved kindness and truth.
18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is truly God and is closest to the Father, has shown us what God is like.
19-20 The religious authorities in Jerusalem sent priests and temple helpers to ask John who he was. He told them plainly, “I am not the Messiah.”