The everlasting birth of Christ, and how he became man. The testimony of John. The calling of Andrew, Peter, etc.
1 In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by it, and without it was made nothing that was made. 4 In it was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, but the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came as a witness to bear witness of the light, so that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of the light 9 that was the true light, who lights all men that come into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and yet the world knew him not.
11 He came among his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them he gave power to be the children of God, in that they believed on his name – 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor yet of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us. And we saw the glory of it, as the glory of the only begotten Son of the Father, which word was full of grace and truth. 15 John bore witness of him and cried out, saying, This was he of whom I spoke, who, though he came after me, went before me, because he was before me. 16 And of his fullness we have all received, even grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
19 And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? 20 He acknowledged, and did not deny but said plainly, I am not the Christ.
21 And they asked him, What then? Are you Elijah?
And he said, I am not.
Are you a prophet?
And he answered, No.
22 Then said they to him, Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us: what do you say about yourself?
23 He said, I am the voice of a crier in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord! as the prophet Isaiah said.
24 And those who were sent were of the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him and said to him, Why do you baptize then, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor a prophet?
26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water, but one is come among you whom you do not know. 27 He it is that comes after me, who was before me, whose shoe latchet I am not worthy to loose.
28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John did baptize.
29 The next day, John saw Jesus coming to him and said, Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, after me comes a man who went before me, because he was before me. 31 And I did not know him. But in order that he should be declared to Israel, I have come baptizing with water.
32 And John bore witness, saying, I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove and rest upon him. 33 And I did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize in water, the same said to me, Upon whom you see the Spirit descend and remain still on him, the same is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. 34 And I saw and bore witness that this is the Son of God.
35 The next day after, John was standing again with two of his disciples. 36 And he saw Jesus as he walked by and said, Behold the Lamb of God! 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and followed Jesus.
38 And Jesus turned about and saw them following and said to them, What are you seeking? They said to him, Rabbi (which means, Teacher), where are you staying? 39 He said to them, Come and see.
They went and saw where he was lodging, and stayed with him that day. For it was about the tenth hour.
40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He found his brother Simon first and said to him, We have found the Messiah! (which translated is, the Anointed). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. And Jesus regarded him and said, You are Simon, the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas (which translated is, a rock).
43 The day following, Jesus decided to go into Galilee. And he found Philip and said to him, Follow me. 44 Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter. 45 And Philip found Nathanael and said to him, We have found him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write: Jesus, the son of Joseph of Nazareth. 46 And Nathanael said to him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, Come and see.
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him and said of him, Behold a right Israelite, in whom there is no guile. 48 Nathanael said to him, Where did you know me? Jesus answered and said to him, Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you. 49 Nathanael answered and said to him, Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the king of Israel!
50 Jesus answered and said to him, Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, you believe. You will see greater things than these.
51 And he said to him, Truly truly I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending over the Son of man.