At that time John the Baptist came to the desert of Judea and started preaching.

"Turn away from your sins," he said, "because the Kingdom of heaven is near!"

They confessed their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan.

I baptize you with water to show that you have repented, but the one who will come after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He is much greater than I am; and I am not good enough even to carry his sandals.

and Annas and Caiaphas were High Priests. At that time the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.

So John went throughout the whole territory of the Jordan River, preaching, "Turn away from your sins and be baptized, and God will forgive your sins."

John also was baptizing in Aenon, not far from Salim, because there was plenty of water in that place. People were going to him, and he was baptizing them.

You know of the great event that took place throughout the land of Israel, beginning in Galilee after John preached his message of baptism.

Before Jesus began his work, John preached to all the people of Israel that they should turn from their sins and be baptized.

And as John was about to finish his mission, he said to the people, 'Who do you think I am? I am not the one you are waiting for. But listen! He is coming after me, and I am not good enough to take his sandals off his feet.'

"Well, then, what kind of baptism did you receive?" Paul asked. "The baptism of John," they answered.

Paul said, "The baptism of John was for those who turned from their sins; and he told the people of Israel to believe in the one who was coming after him---that is, in Jesus."

And now, why wait any longer? Get up and be baptized and have your sins washed away by praying to him.'