A man came into being, sent from God, whose name was John.

John bore witness concerning him, and cried aloud, saying, "This is he of whom I said, 'He who is coming after me has been put before me, for he was before me.'"

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

"I indeed am baptizing in water," John said in reply, "but in your midst stands One whom you do not recognize,

This happened in Bethany, beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

John also bore this testimony, saying. "I saw the Spirit like a dove descend from heaven and rest upon him.

Next day again, John was standing with two of his disciples.

One of the two men who heard what John said and followed Jesus, was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter.

He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked intently at him and said: "You are Simon, son of John; you shall be called Cephas" (or 'Peter,' which means 'Rock').

John also was baptizing in Aenon, near Salim, because there were many streams there, and people kept coming to receive baptism.

(For John had not yet been thrown into prison.)

Then some of John's disciples got into a controversy with a Jew in regard to purification; so they came to John and said to him.

In reply John said: "A man cannot obtain anything unless it has been granted to him from heaven.

Accordingly when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard it said, "Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John,"

"You yourselves sent to John, and he has been and is a witness to the truth.

"But I have testimony greater than that of John; for the work which the Father has given me to bring to completion??he work which I am doing??ears testimony concerning me, that the Father has sent me.

and went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained.

Many who came to him said, "John did not perform any signs, but everything he said about this man was true."

When they were through breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these others do?" "Yes, Lord, you know that you are dear to me." he answered. Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."

He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that you are dear to me." "Be a shepherd to my sheep," said Jesus.