And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.

John answered, saying to them all, I indeed immerse you in water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit and fire.

and said to them, Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.

Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see;

for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.

Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Immerser; but he who is least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.

But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;

for truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.

To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;

of which I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the Word of God,

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

And all these, having borne witness through faith, did not obtain the promise,

God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made complete apart from us.

Of this salvation the prophets have sought out and searched diligently, who prophesied concerning the grace towards you,

To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from Heaven; things which angels desire to look into.