They talked it over among themselves.“ If we say it was from heaven, he will ask why we didn’t believe John.

他们彼此商议说：“我们若说‘从天上来’，他必说：‘这样，你们为什么不信他呢？’

他们彼此商议说：“我们若说‘从天上来的’，他会说：‘这样，你们为什么不信他呢？’

他们彼此商议说：“我们若说‘从天上来的’，他会说：‘这样，你们为什么不信他呢？’

他们彼此议论说：“如果我们说‘是从天上来的’，祂一定会问，‘那你们为什么不信他？’

他们就彼此议论：“如果我们说‘是从天上来的’，他就会说‘那你们为什么不信他呢？’

他们就彼此讨论，说：“如果我们说‘是来自天上’，他就会问‘那么你们为什么不相信他呢？’

他們彼此商議說：「我們若說『從天上來』，他必說：『這樣，你們為甚麼不信他呢？』

他們彼此商議說：「我們若說『從天上來的』，他會說：『這樣，你們為甚麼不信他呢？』

他們彼此商議說：「我們若說『從天上來的』，他會說：『這樣，你們為甚麼不信他呢？』

他們彼此議論說：「如果我們說『是從天上來的』，祂一定會問，『那你們為什麼不信他？』

他們就彼此議論：“如果我們說‘是從天上來的’，他就會說‘那你們為甚麼不信他呢？’

他們彼此議論說：『我們若說由於天，他就會說，那你們為甚麼不信他？

他們就彼此討論，說：「如果我們說『是來自天上』，他就會問『那麼你們為什麼不相信他呢？』

其人竊議曰、若云自天、彼必曰、曷不信之、

其人竊議曰、若云由天、彼必曰、曷不信之、

其人竊議曰、若云自天、彼必云、何不信之、

若輩竊議曰：『如云自天、必曰何不信之。

They discussed it among themselves and said,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will ask,‘ Then why didn’t you believe him?’

They talked to each other about it. They said,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will ask,‘ Then why didn’t you believe him?’

And they discussed it with one another, saying,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will say,‘ Why then did you not believe him?’

They discussed it among themselves:“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will say,‘ Then why didn’t you believe him?’

And they began considering the implications among themselves, saying,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ He will say,‘ Then why did you not believe him?’

And they reasoned among themselves, saying,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ He will say,‘ Why then did you not believe him?’

And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?

They began to argue among themselves:“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ He will say,‘ Then why didn’t you believe him?’

And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?

They discussed with one another, saying,“ If we say,‘ From heaven,’ he will say,‘ Then why did you not believe him?’

They reasoned with themselves, saying,“ If we should say,‘ From heaven;’ he will say,‘ Why then did you not believe him?’

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said,“ Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds,“ This is the one I was talking about when I said,‘ Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”

As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared,“ Look! There is the Lamb of God!”

It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success.He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.“ He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else.He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them!Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true.For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit.The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands.And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds.“ What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind?Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces.Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet.John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,‘ Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’“ I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it.For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time.And if you are willing to accept what I say, he is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come.

“ Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?” They talked it over among themselves.“ If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn’t believe John.But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.”So they finally replied,“ We don’t know.” And Jesus responded,“ Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.

“ Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied,“ The first.” Then Jesus explained his meaning:“ I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do.For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn’t believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins.

I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.”