Williams(i)
19 Now this is the testimony which John gave when the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem, to ask him, "Who are you?"
20 He frankly admitted, and did not try at all to deny it; yes, he frankly admitted, "I am not the Christ."
21 So they asked him again, "What are you then? Elijah?" And he answered, "Of course, I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No."
22 Then they said to him, "Who are you? Tell us, so that we can have an answer to give to those who sent us. What have you to say for yourself?"
23 He said, "I am a voice of one shouting in the desert, 'Make the road straight for the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said."
24 Now the messengers belonged to the party of the Pharisees;
25 so they asked him, "Why are you baptizing then, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?"
26 John answered them, "I am baptizing only in water. There is standing among you One with whom you are not acquainted.
27 He is to become my successor, because He has been put before me, and I am not fit to untie His shoestrings."