²⁶ John answered them, I [only] baptize ^[a]in (with) water. Among you there stands One Whom you do not recognize and with Whom you are not acquainted and of Whom you know nothing.^(A)

²⁷ It is He Who, coming after me, is preferred before me, the string of Whose sandal I am not worthy to unloose.

²⁸ These things occurred in Bethany (Bethabara) across the Jordan [^[b]at the Jordan crossing], where John was then baptizing.