John the Baptist Prepares the Way^(A)

3 In those days John the Baptist^(B) came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea

⁴ And so John the Baptist^(A) appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance^(B) for the forgiveness of sins.^(C)

⁸⁰ And the child grew and became strong in spirit^[a];^(A) and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

² during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,^(A) the word of God came to John^(B) son of Zechariah^(C) in the wilderness.

³ He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.^(A)