1 Ngaleyo mihla kwavela uJohane uMbhapathizi eshumayela ehlane laseJudiya, ethi:
2 “Phendukani, ngokuba umbuso wezulu ususondele!”
3 Ngokuba nguye akhuluma ngaye umprofethi u-Isaya, ethi:“Izwi lomemezayo ehlane, lithi:‘Lungisani indlela yeNkosi,nenze imikhondo yayo iqonde.’ ”
4 Yena uJohane wayenengubo yoboya bekamela noqhotho lwesikhumba okhalweni lwakhe; ukudla kwakhe kwakuyizinkumbi nezinyosi zasendle.
5 Khona kwaphumela kuye iJerusalema, neJudiya lonke, nezwe lonke laseJordani,
6 babhapathizwa nguye emfuleni iJordani bevuma izono zabo.
7 Kepha kwathi ebona abaningi kubaFarisi nabaSadusi beza embhapathizweni, wathi kubo: “Nzalo yezinyoka, ngubani onibonise ukubalekela intukuthelo ezayo na?