1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,
2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,who will prepare your way’ –
3 ‘a voice of one calling in the wilderness,“Prepare the way for the Lord,make straight paths for him.” ’
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the River Jordan.