The Beginning of the Gospel

1

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2

As it is written in Isaias the prophet: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare the way before thee.

3

A voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord; make straight his paths.

4

John was in the desert, baptizing and preaching the baptism of penance, unto remission of sins.

5

And there went out to him all the country of Judea and all they of Jerusalem and were baptized by him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

6

And John was clothed camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins: and he ate locusts and wild honey.

7

And he preached, saying: There cometh after me one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.

8

I have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.