1. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ [the Son of God].
2. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;he will prepare your way.
3. A voice of one crying out in the desert:‘Prepare the way of the Lord,make straight his paths.’”
4. John [the] Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.