Thursday, January 2, 2025

¹Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. ²The LORD has made known his salvation. He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations. ³He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. ⁴Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!

¹⁹This is John’s testimony, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” ²⁰He declared, and didn’t deny, but he declared, “I am not the Christ.” ²¹They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” ²²They said therefore to him, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” ²³He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” ²⁴The ones who had been sent were from the Pharisees. ²⁵They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” ²⁶John answered them, “I baptize in water, but among you stands one whom you don’t know. ²⁷He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to loosen.” ²⁸These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.