Where did John’s baptism come from? From heaven or from people?” ¹  They discussed this among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say: “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wants it take the water of life free of charge.

He ¹  said, “When evening comes you say, ‘It will be fair weather, because the sky is red,’

They answered, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, ¹  and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

The disciples asked him, ¹  “Why then do the experts in the law ²  say that Elijah must come first?”

Now I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another commits adultery.”

But if we say, ‘From people,’ we fear the crowd, for they all consider John to be a prophet.”

But if ¹  that evil slave should say to himself, ²  ‘My master is staying away a long time,’

telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came at night and stole his body ¹  while we were asleep.’

His disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing against you and you say, ‘Who touched me?’”

He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, ¹  “You are the Christ.” ² 

Then ¹  they asked him, ²  “Why do the experts in the law ³  say that Elijah must come first?”

But if we say, ‘From people – ’” (they feared the crowd, for they all considered John to be truly a prophet).

When the slave girl saw him, she began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.”

So Pilate asked him again, ¹  “Have you nothing to say? See how many charges they are bringing against you!”

“But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies, ¹  do good to those who hate you,

For John the Baptist has come ¹  eating no bread and drinking no wine, ²  and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ ³ 

Then ¹  he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter ²  answered, ³  “The Christ ⁴  of God.”

Yet ¹  another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say goodbye to my family.” ² 

Heal ¹  the sick in that town ²  and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God ³  has come upon ⁴  you!’