² as the prophet Isaiah wrote:

⁴ John [^Cthe Baptist] was baptizing people in the ·desert [wilderness] and preaching a baptism of ·changed hearts and lives [turning from sin; repentance] for the ·forgiveness [remission] of sins. ⁵ All the people from Judea and Jerusalem were going out to him. They confessed their sins and were baptized by him in the Jordan River. ⁶ John wore clothes made from camel’s hair, had a leather belt around his waist [^Creminiscent of the prophet Elijah; 2 Kin. 1:8], and ate locusts and wild honey [^Csignifies living off the land]. ⁷ This is what John preached to the people: “There is one coming after me who is ·greater [mightier; more powerful] than I; I am not ·good enough [fit; qualified] even to kneel down and untie [^Lthe thong/strap of] his sandals [^Ca task of a servant or slave]. ⁸ I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”