28. The Final Testimony of Saint John Concerning the Lord. Jn. 3:22–36

After this Jesus came with His disciples into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and being baptized. For John had not yet been cast into prison.

Then there arose a discussion on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification. And they came to him and said to him: Rabbi! He who was with you beyond the Jordan, of whom you have borne witness, behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him.

John answered: A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness that I said, I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent before Him. He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.

He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth; He who comes from heaven is above all. What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one accepts His testimony. He who has accepted His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit not by measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.