There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

John bore witness of him and cried out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'"

Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?"

John answered them, "I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know.

This took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

And John bore witness, "I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him.

Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples.

One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter).

Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people came and were baptized.

For John had not yet been put in prison.

Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purifying.

And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified behold, he is baptizing, and all are going to him."

John answered, "A man can receive only what is given to him from heaven.

Now when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John

You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.

But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has given me to finish, these very works which I am doing, bear witness of me, that the Father has sent me.

He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there he stayed.

And many came to him and they said, "John performed no sign, but all that John said about this man was true."

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."

He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."

He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.