John 1:1-28 ▼

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 He was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made through him, and apart from him nothing was made that has been made.

4 In him was life, and the life was the light of humanity.

5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn't overcome it.

6 There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.

7 He came as a witness to testify about the light, that all might believe through him.

8 He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light.

9 The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, but the world did not recognize him.

11 He came to his own, and those who were his own did not receive him.

12 But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God's children, to those who believe in his name,

13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only of the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 John testified about him and shouted out, saying, |This was the one of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.'|

16 For of his fullness we all received, and grace upon grace.

17 For the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

18 No one has seen God at any time. The only Son, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

19 And this is John's testimony, when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, |Who are you?|

20 And he confessed, and did not deny, but he confessed, |I am not the Christ.|

21 And they asked him, |What then? Are you Elijah?| And he said, |I am not.| |Are you the Prophet?| And he answered, |No.|

22 They said therefore to him, |Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?|

23 He said, |I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as Isaiah the prophet said.|

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.)

25 And they asked him, |Why then do you baptize, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?|

26 John answered them, saying, |I baptize in water, but among you stands one whom you do not know.

27 He is the one who comes after me, whose sandal strap I'm not worthy to loosen.|

28 These things were done in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.