John 3:19-36

English Standard Version

¹⁹^(A)And this is the judgment: ^(B)the light has come into the world, and ^(C)people loved the darkness rather than the light because ^(D)their works were evil. ²⁰^(E)For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, ^(F)lest his works should be exposed. ²¹But whoever ^(G)does what is true ^(H)comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

John the Baptist Exalts Christ

²²After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and ^(I)was baptizing. ²³John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized ²⁴(for ^(J)John had not yet been put in prison).

²⁵Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over ^(K)purification. ²⁶And they came to John and said to him, ^(L)“Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, ^(M)to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and ^(N)all are going to him.” ²⁷John answered, ^(O)“A person cannot receive even one thing ^(P)unless it is given him ^(Q)from heaven. ²⁸You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ^(R)‘I am not the Christ, but ^(S)I have been sent before him.’ ²⁹^(T)The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. ^(U)The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, ^(V)rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. ³⁰^(W)He must increase, but I must decrease.”^[a]

³¹^(X)He who comes from above ^(Y)is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and ^(Z)speaks in an earthly way. ^(AA)He who comes from heaven ^(AB)is above all. ³²^(AC)He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, ^(AD)yet no one receives his testimony. ³³Whoever receives his testimony ^(AE)sets his seal to this, ^(AF)that God is true. ³⁴For he whom ^(AG)God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit ^(AH)without measure. ³⁵^(AI)The Father loves the Son and ^(AJ)has given all things into his hand. ³⁶^(AK)Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; ^(AL)whoever does not obey the Son shall not ^(AM)see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.