24(For John had not yet been imprisoned).
25Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a fellow Jew on the subject of purification;
26and 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.”
27John's answer was — “A person can gain nothing but what is given them from heaven.
28You are yourselves witnesses that I said ‘I am not the Christ,’ but ‘I have been sent before him as a messenger.’
29It 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.
30He must become greater, and I less.”
31He 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.
32He states what he has seen and what he heard, and yet no one accepts his statement.
33They who did accept his statement confirm the fact that God is true.
34For he whom God sent as his messenger gives us God's own teaching, for God does not limit the gift of the Spirit.
35The Father loves his Son, and has put everything in his hands.
John 3
John 3:24-35