John 3:23-31 in English

²³ And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

²⁴ For John was not yet cast into prison.

²⁵ There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purifying.

²⁶ And they came unto John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

²⁷ John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven.

²⁸ Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but, that I am sent before him.

²⁹ He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, that standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is made full.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is of the earth, and of the earth he speaketh: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

²³ John was also baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there, and people kept coming to be baptized.

²⁴ John had not yet been thrown into prison.

²⁵ There were some questions between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification.

²⁶ They came to John and told him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, that you have testified about — look, He is baptizing, and everyone is flocking to Him!”

²⁷ John replied, “A man can receive nothing, unless it’s given to him from Heaven.

²⁸ You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I’m not the Christ, but I have been sent ahead of Him.’

²⁹ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and rejoices when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. This joy of mine is now made complete.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ “He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the Earth belongs to the Earth and speaks of the Earth. He who comes from Heaven is above all.

²³ And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

²⁴ For John was not yet cast into prison.

²⁵ Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.

²⁶ And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

²⁷ John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

²⁸ Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

²⁹ He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

²³ And John also was baptizing in AEnon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

²⁴ For John was not yet cast into prison.

²⁵ There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purifying.

²⁶ And they came unto John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

²⁷ John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven.

²⁸ Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but, that I am sent before him.

²⁹ He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is of the earth, and of the earth he speaketh: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

²³ John the Baptizer was also baptizing people. He was doing that at Aenon village near Salim town in Samaria district, because there were many springs in that area. Many people kept coming to John and were being baptized {he was baptizing them}.

²⁴ That happened before John was put {they put John} in prison.

²⁵ Then some of John's disciples and a certain Jew started arguing about the Jewish rituals of washing things to make them acceptable to God.

²⁶ Then those disciples went to John and said to him, “Teacher, do you remember the man who was with you when you were baptizing people on the other side of the Jordan River? He is the one you were telling us about. Well, now he is baptizing people, and many people are going to him instead of coming to us!”

²⁷ John replied, “A person can become important only if God MTY permits it. So we should not be jealous about Jesus being popular!

²⁸ You yourselves can verify what I said. I told you that I am not ◄the Messiah/God's promised king►. Instead, I told you that I was sent {that God sent me} to prepare the way for him.

²⁹ Let me illustrate MET: He is like a ◄ bridegroom/man who is being married►, and I am like his friend. The friend of the bridegroom stands there and waits for him to come. That friend is very happy when he hears the bridegroom's voice when he arrives. Similarly, I am very happy about what you have told me.

³⁰ It is necessary for Jesus to become more important by making more disciples than I have, and for me to become less important.”

³¹ Jesus came from heaven. He is more important than anyone else. Those who are born from parents here on earth MTY are just humans, and they speak about things that happen here on the earth. But since Jesus came from heaven, his words are more important than anyone else's.

²³ John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came and were baptized;

²⁴ for John was not yet thrown into prison.

²⁵ Therefore a dispute arose on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification.

²⁶ They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.”

²⁷ John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.

²⁸ You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’

²⁹ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore my joy is made full.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ “He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

²³ John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came and were baptized;

²⁴ for John was not yet thrown into prison.

²⁵ Therefore a dispute arose on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification.

²⁶ They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.”

²⁷ John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.

²⁸ You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’

²⁹ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore my joy is made full.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ “He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

²³ John also was baptising in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came and were baptised;

²⁴ for John was not yet thrown into prison.

²⁵ Therefore a dispute arose on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification.

²⁶ They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptises, and everyone is coming to him.”

²⁷ John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.

²⁸ You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’

²⁹ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore my joy is made full.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ “He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

²³ Now John was then giving baptism at Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were given baptism.

²⁴ For at this time John had not been put into prison.

²⁵ Then a question came up between John's disciples and a Jew about washing.

²⁶ And they went to John and said to him, Rabbi, the man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan, the man to whom you gave witness, is now giving baptism, and everyone is going to him.

²⁷ And this was John's answer: A man is unable to have anything if it is not given to him from heaven.

²⁸ You yourselves give witness that I said, I am not the Christ. What I said was, I am sent before the Christ.

²⁹ He who has the bride is the husband: but the husband's friend, whose place is by his side and whose ears are open to him, is full of joy because of the husband's voice: such is my joy, and it is complete.

³⁰ He has to become greater while I become less.

³¹ He who comes from heaven is greater than all others: he who comes from earth is of the earth, and of the earth are his words: he who comes from heaven is over all.

²³ And John also was baptising in Aenon, near Salim, because there was a great deal of water there; and they came to him and were baptised:

²⁴ for John was not yet cast into prison.

²⁵ There was therefore a reasoning of the disciples of John with a Jew about purification.

²⁶ And they came to John and said to him, Rabbi, he who was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, he baptises, and all come to him.

²⁷ John answered and said, A man can receive nothing unless it be given him out of heaven.

²⁸ Ye yourselves bear me witness that I said, I am not the Christ, but, that I am sent before him.

²⁹ He that has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices in heart because of the voice of the bridegroom: this my joy then is fulfilled.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ He who comes from above is above all. He who has his origin in the earth is of the earth, and speaks as of the earth. He who comes out of heaven is above all,

²³ And John also was baptizing in Ennon near Salim; because there was much water there; and they came and were baptized.

²⁴ For John was not yet cast into prison.

²⁵ And there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews concerning purification:

²⁶ And they came to John, and said to him: Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou gavest testimony, behold he baptizeth, and all men come to him.

²⁷ John answered, and said: A man cannot receive any thing, unless it be given him from heaven.

²⁸ You yourselves do bear me witness, that I said, I am not Christ, but that I am sent before him.

²⁹ He that hath the bride, is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth with joy because of the bridegroom’s voice. This my joy therefore is fulfilled.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ He that cometh from above, is above all. He that is of the earth, of the earth he is, and of the earth he speaketh. He that cometh from heaven, is above all.

²³ Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salem, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.

²⁴ (For John was not yet cast into prison).

²⁵ Then there came to be a dispute between John's disciples and a Jew about purification.

²⁶ And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, this Man is baptizing, and all men are coming to Him!”

²⁷ John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.

²⁸ You yourselves bear witness that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’

²⁹ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the voice of the bridegroom. Therefore my joy has been fulfilled.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ He who comes from above is above all; he who is from the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

²³ Now John also was baptizing in Aenon, near Salem, because there was plenty of water there. And people were coming and being baptized;

²⁴ for John had not yet been thrown into prison.

²⁵ Then some of John's disciples had an argument with a Judean about purification.

²⁶ So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the One who was with you across the Jordan, about whom you have testified—well, here He is baptizing, and everyone is flocking to Him!”

²⁷ John answered and said: “A person can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from Heaven.

²⁸ You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent ahead of Him.’

²⁹ He who has the bride is the bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and hears him, has great joy at the bridegroom's voice. So this my joy has been fulfilled.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ “He who comes from Above is above all; he who is from the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth. He who comes from Heaven is above all.

²³ John was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water there and people kept coming to be baptized.

²⁴ (This was before John was imprisoned.)

²⁵ An argument developed between John's disciples and a Jew over ceremonial purification.

²⁶ They went to John and told him, “Rabbi, the man you were with on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you testified in support of—see, now he's baptizing, and everyone is going to him!”

²⁷ “No one receives anything unless they're given it from heaven,” John replied.

²⁸ “You yourselves can testify that I declared, ‘I'm not the Messiah. I've been sent to prepare his way.’

²⁹ The bridegroom is the one who has the bride! The best man waits, listening for the bridegroom, and is so happy when he hears the bridegroom's voice—in the same way my happiness is now complete.

³⁰ He must become more important, and I must become less important.”

³¹ He who comes from above is greater than all; he who comes from the earth belongs to the earth and talks about earthly things. He who comes from heaven is greater than all.

²³ And Iohn also baptized in Enon besides Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

²⁴ For Iohn was not yet cast into prison.

²⁵ Then there arose a question betweene Iohns disciples and the Iewes, about purifying.

²⁶ And they came vnto Iohn, and saide vnto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Iorden, to whom thou barest witnesse, behold, he baptizeth, and all men come to him.

²⁷ Iohn answered, and saide, A man can receiue nothing, except it be giuen him from heauen.

²⁸ Yee your selues are my witnesses, that I sayde, I am not that Christ, but that I am sent before him.

²⁹ He that hath the bride, is the bridegrome: but the friend of the bridegrome which standeth and heareth him, reioyceth greatly, because of the bridegromes voyce. This my ioy therefore is fulfilled.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ Hee that is come from an hie, is aboue all: he that is of the earth, is of the earth, and speaketh of the earth: hee that is come from heauen, is aboue all.

²³ And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

²⁴ For John was not yet cast into prison.

²⁵ Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.

²⁶ And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

²⁷ John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

²⁸ Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

²⁹ He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

²³ And John also was baptizing in AEnon, near Salim, because there was much water there; and they came, and were baptized.

²⁴ For John was not yet thrown into prison.

²⁵ Then there arose a question on the part of John's disciples with a Jew about purifying.

²⁶ And they came to John, and said to him, Rabbi, he who was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witness, behold, he baptizeth, and all men are going to him.

²⁷ John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, unless it be given him from heaven.

²⁸ Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before that man.

²⁹ He that hath the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. This my joy then hath become full.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ He that cometh from above is above all. He that is from the earth is earthly, and speaketh earthly things; he that cometh from heaven

²³ John, also, was baptising at Aenon near Salim, because there were many streams there; and people were constantly coming and being baptised.

²⁴ (For John had not yet been imprisoned).

²⁵ Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a fellow Jew on the subject of purification;

²⁶ and the disciples came to John and said, “Rabbi, the man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan, and to whom you have yourself borne testimony — he, also, is baptising, and everybody is going to him.”

²⁷ John's answer was — “A person can gain nothing but what is given them from heaven.

²⁸ You are yourselves witnesses that I said ‘I am not the Christ,’ but ‘I have been sent before him as a messenger.’

²⁹ It is the groom who has the bride; but the groom's friend, who stands by and listens to him, is filled with joy when he hears the groom's voice. This joy I have felt to the full.

³⁰ He must become greater, and I less.”

³¹ He who comes from above is above all others; but a child of earth is earthly, and his teaching is earthly, too. He who comes from heaven is above all others.

²³ John, also, was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there were many streams there; and people were constantly coming and being baptized.

²⁴ (For John had not yet been imprisoned).

²⁵ Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a fellow Jew on the subject of purification;

²⁶ and the disciples came to John and said, “Rabbi, the man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan, and to whom you have yourself borne testimony — he, also, is baptizing, and everybody is going to him.”

²⁷ John's answer was — “A person can gain nothing but what is given them from heaven.

²⁸ You are yourselves witnesses that I said ‘I am not the Christ,’ but ‘I have been sent before him as a messenger.’

²⁹ It is the groom who has the bride; but the groom's friend, who stands by and listens to him, is filled with joy when he hears the groom's voice. This joy I have felt to the full.

³⁰ He must become greater, and I less.”

³¹ He who comes from above is above all others; but a child of earth is earthly, and his teaching is earthly, too. He who comes from heaven is above all others.

²³ John Yah is gracious also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came, and were baptized.

²⁴ For John Yah is gracious was not yet thrown into prison.

²⁵ There arose therefore a questioning on the part of John Yah is gracious’s disciples with some Jews Praisers about purification.

²⁶ They came to John Yah is gracious, and said to him, “Rabbi ·Teacher·, he who was with you beyond the Jordan Descender, to whom you have testified, behold, the same baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.”

²⁷ John Yah is gracious answered, “A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven.

²⁸ You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah Anointed one,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’

²⁹ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. This, my joy, therefore is made full.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

²³ And Iohn also baptised in Enon besydes Salim because ther was moche water there and they came and were baptised.

²⁴ For Iohn was not yet cast into preson.

²⁵ And ther arose a question bitwene Iohns disciples and the Iewes about purifiynge.

²⁶ And they came vnto Iohn and sayde vnto him: Rabbi he that was with the beyonde Iordan to whom thou barest witnes. Beholde the same baptyseth and all me come to him.

²⁷ Iohn answered and sayde: a man can receave no thinge at all except it be geve him from heaven.

²⁸ Ye youre selves are witnesses how that I sayde: I am not Christ but am sent before him.

²⁹ He that hath the bryde is the brydegrome. But the frende of the brydegrome which stondeth by and heareth him reioyseth greately of the brydgromes voyce. Tis my ioye is fulfilled.

³⁰ He must increace: and I muste decreace.

³¹ He that commeth from an hye is above all: He that is of the erth is of the erth and speaketh of the erth. He that cometh from heaven is above all

²³ Now John was also baptizing in Aenon near to Salim because there was much water there. People were coming to him and were being baptized,

²⁴ for John had not yet been thrown in prison.

²⁵ Then there arose a dispute between some of John's disciples and a Jew about ceremonial washing.

²⁶ They went to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you on the other side of the Jordan River, about whom you have testified, look, he is baptizing, and they are all going to him.”

²⁷ John replied, “A man cannot receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven.

²⁸ You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but instead, 'I have been sent before him.'

²⁹ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. Now the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the voice of the bridegroom. This, then, is my joy made complete.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth is from the earth and speaks about the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

²³ John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came and were baptized;

²⁴ for John was not yet thrown into prison.

²⁵ Therefore a dispute arose on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification.

²⁶ They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.”

²⁷ John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.

²⁸ You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’

²⁹ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore my joy is made full.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ “He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

²³ John also was baptising in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came and were baptised;

²⁴ for John was not yet thrown into prison.

²⁵ Therefore a dispute arose on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification.

²⁶ They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptises, and everyone is coming to him.”

²⁷ John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.

²⁸ You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’

²⁹ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore my joy is made full.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ “He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

²³ And John also was baptizing in Enon, near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

²⁴ For John was not yet cast into prison.

²⁵ Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews, about purifying.

²⁶ And they came to John, and said to him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou didst bear testimony, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

²⁷ John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

²⁸ Ye yourselves bear me testimony, that I said I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

²⁹ He that hath the bride, is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly, because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.

²³ Yochanan also was immersing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came and were immersed;

²⁴ for Yochanan was not yet thrown into prison.

²⁵ Therefore a dispute arose on the part of Yochanan’s disciples with some Judeans about purification.

²⁶ They came to Yochanan and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he immerses, and everyone is coming to him.”

²⁷ Yochanan answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.

²⁸ You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’

²⁹ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore my joy is made full.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ “He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

²³ Yochanan also was immersing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came and were immersed;

²⁴ for Yochanan was not yet thrown into prison.

²⁵ Therefore a dispute arose on the part of Yochanan’s disciples with some Judeans about purification.

²⁶ They came to Yochanan and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he immerses, and everyone is coming to him.”

²⁷ Yochanan answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.

²⁸ You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’

²⁹ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore my joy is made full.

³⁰ He must increase, but I must decrease.

³¹ “He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

²³ And John was baptizing in Aenon, beside Salim, for many waters were there; and they came, and were baptized or christened.

²⁴ And John was not yet sent into prison.

²⁵ Therefore a question was made of John’s disciples with the Jews, of the purification, or cleansing.

²⁶ And they came to John, and said to him, Master or Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond or over Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witnessing, lo! he baptizeth, and all men come to him.

²⁷ John answered, and said, A man may not take anything, but it be given to him from heaven.

²⁸ Ye yourselves bear witnessing to me, that I said, I am not Christ, but that I am sent before him.

²⁹ He that hath a wife, is the husband or the spouse; but the friend of the spouse that standeth, and heareth him, joyeth with joy, for the voice of the spouse. Therefore in this thing my joy is fulfilled.

³⁰ It behooveth him to wax, but me to be made less or to be diminished.

³¹ He that came from above, is above all; he that is of the earth, speaketh of the earth; he that cometh from heaven, is above all.

²³ And John was baptizing in Aenon, beside Salim, for many waters were there; and they came, and were baptized or were christened.

²⁴ And John was not yet sent into prison.

²⁵ Therefore a question was made of John’s disciples with the Jews, of the purification, (or about the purification), or (the) cleansing.

²⁶ And they came to John, and said to him, Master or Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond or over (the) Jordan, to whom thou hast borne witnessing, lo! he baptizeth, and all men come to him. (And they came to John, and said to him, Teacher, he who was with thee on the other side of the Jordan River, about whom thou hast witnessed, or thou hast testified, behold! he baptizeth, and all come to him.)

²⁷ John answered, and said, A man may not take anything, no but it be given to him from heaven. (John answered, and said, No one can receive anything, unless it be given to him from heaven, yea, from God.)

²⁸ Ye yourselves bear witnessing to me, that I said, I am not Christ, but that I am sent before him. (Ye yourselves can bear witness to me, or can testify about me, that I said, I am not the Messiah, but that I am sent before him.)

²⁹ He that hath a wife, is the husband or the spouse; but the friend of the spouse that standeth, and heareth him, joyeth with joy, for the voice of the spouse. Therefore in this thing my joy is fulfilled.

³⁰ It behooveth him to wax, (or It is necessary for him to grow, or to increase), but me to be made less or to be diminished.

³¹ He that came from above, is above all; he that is of the earth, speaketh of the earth; he that cometh from heaven, is above all.

²³ And Joon was baptisinge in Ennon, bisidis Salym, for many watris weren there; and thei camen, and weren baptisid.

²⁴ And Joon was not yit sent in to prisoun.

²⁵ Therfor a questioun was maad of Jonys disciplis with the Jewis, of the purificacioun.

²⁶ And thei camen to Joon, and seiden `to hym, Maister, he that was with thee biyonde Jordan, to whom thou hast borun witnessyng, lo! he baptisith, and alle men comen to hym.

²⁷ Joon answerde, and seide, A man may not take ony thing, but it be youun to hym fro heuene.

²⁸ Ye you silf beren witnessyng to me, that Y seide, Y am not Crist, but that Y am sent bifore hym.

²⁹ He that hath a wijf, is the hosebonde; but the freend of the spouse that stondith, and herith hym, ioieth with ioye, for the vois of the spouse. Therfor in this thing my ioye is fulfillid.

³⁰ It bihoueth hym to wexe, but me to be maad lesse.

³¹ He that cam from aboue, is aboue alle; he that is of the erthe, spekith of the erthe; he that cometh from heuene, is aboue alle.

²³ and John was also baptizing in Aenon, nigh to Salem, because there were many waters there, and they were coming and were being baptized —

²⁴ for John was not yet cast into the prison —

²⁵ there arose then a question from the disciples of John with some Jews about purifying,

²⁶ and they came unto John, and said to him, 'Rabbi, he who was with thee beyond the Jordan, to whom thou didst testify, lo, this one is baptizing, and all are coming unto him.'

²⁷ John answered and said, 'A man is not able to receive anything, if it may not have been given him from the heaven;

²⁸ ye yourselves do testify to me that I said, I am not the Christ, but, that I am having been sent before him;

²⁹ he who is having the bride is bridegroom, and the friend of the bridegroom, who is standing and hearing him, with joy doth rejoice because of the voice of the bridegroom; this, then, my joy hath been fulfilled.

³⁰ 'Him it behoveth to increase, and me to become less;

³¹ he who from above is coming is above all; he who is from the earth, from the earth he is, and from the earth he speaketh; he who from the heaven is coming is above all.