2 It began as the prophet Isaiah had written:“God said, ‘I will send my messenger ahead of youto clear the way for you.’
3 Someone is shouting in the desert,‘Get the road ready for the Lord;make a straight path for him to travel!’ ”
4 So John appeared in the desert, baptizing and preaching. “Turn away from your sins and be baptized,” he told the people, “and God will forgive your sins.”
5 Many people from the province of Judea and the city of Jerusalem went out to hear John. They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the River Jordan.
6 John wore clothes made of camel's hair, with a leather belt round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
7 He announced to the people, “The man who will come after me is much greater than I am. I am not good enough even to bend down and untie his sandals.
8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”