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The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
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As it is written in the Prophets: "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You."
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"The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.' "
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John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
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Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
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Now John was clothed with camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
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And he preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.
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I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."