²⁷ John answered, ‘No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, “I am not the Messiah,^[a] but I have been sent ahead of him.” ²⁹ He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled.