1 1 HERE BEGINS THE GOSPEL of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Some witnesses omit: the Son of God
1 2 [ Mal.3.1. ] In the prophet Isaiah it stands written: 'Here is my herald whom I send on ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. 1 3 [ Is.40.1. ] A voice crying aloud in the wilderness, "Prepare a way for the Lord; clear a straight path for him."' 1 4 And so it was that John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness proclaiming a baptism in token of repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, 1 5 and they flocked to him from the whole Judaean country-side and the city of Jerusalem, and were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins. 1 6 John was dressed in a rough coat of camel's hair, with a leather belt round his waist, and he fed on locusts and wild honey. 1 7 His proclamation ran: 'After me comes one who is mightier than I. I am not fit to unfasten his shoes. 1 8 I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.'