For David served God's purposes in his own time, and then he died, was buried with his ancestors, and his body rotted in the grave.

But I reckon my own life to be worth nothing to me; I only want to complete my mission and finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do, which is to declare the Good News about the grace of God.

When Herod heard it, he said, "He is John the Baptist! I had his head cut off, but he has come back to life!"

John the Baptist kept telling Herod, "It isn't right for you to marry your brother's wife!"

Herod was afraid of John because he knew that John was a good and holy man, and so he kept him safe. He liked to listen to him, even though he became greatly disturbed every time he heard him.

The daughter of Herodias came in and danced, and pleased Herod and his guests. So the king said to the girl, "What would you like to have? I will give you anything you want."

So the girl went out and asked her mother, "What shall I ask for?" "The head of John the Baptist," she answered.

This made the king very sad, but he could not refuse her because of the vows he had made in front of all his guests.

then he brought it on a plate and gave it to the girl, who gave it to her mother.

"My food," Jesus said to them, "is to obey the will of the one who sent me and to finish the work he gave me to do.

Jesus knew that by now everything had been completed; and in order to make the scripture come true, he said, "I am thirsty."

Jesus drank the wine and said, "It is finished!" Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith.

When they finish proclaiming their message, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will fight against them. He will defeat them and kill them,

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."

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.

He announced to the people, "The man who will come after me is much greater than I am. I am not good enough even to bend down and untie his sandals.

People's hopes began to rise, and they began to wonder whether John perhaps might be the Messiah.

So John said to all of them, "I baptize you with water, but someone is coming who is much greater than I am. I am not good enough even to untie his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

John did not refuse to answer, but spoke out openly and clearly, saying: "I am not the Messiah."

"Then tell us who you are," they said. "We have to take an answer back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself ?"

John answered, "No one can have anything unless God gives it.

The bridegroom is the one to whom the bride belongs; but the bridegroom's friend, who stands by and listens, is glad when he hears the bridegroom's voice. This is how my own happiness is made complete.

Those who speak on their own authority are trying to gain glory for themselves. But he who wants glory for the one who sent him is honest, and there is nothing false in him.

For it is not ourselves that we preach; we preach Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.