23. And Yoḥanan was also immersing in Ayin near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. And they were coming and were being immersed,
24. for Yoḥanan had not yet been put into prison.
25. Then a dispute arose between some of Yoḥanan’s taught ones and the Yehuḏim about cleansing,
26. and they came to Yoḥanan and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Yardĕn, to whom you have witnessed, see, He is immersing, and all are coming to Him!”
27. Yoḥanan answered and said, “No man is able to receive any matter unless it is given to him from the heaven.
28. “You yourselves are witnesses for me that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but I am sent ahead of Him.’
29. “He that has the bride is the bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the voice of the bridegroom. So this joy of mine is complete.
30. “It is right for Him to increase, but me to decrease.