“I am not the Messiah,” John answered evenly.
“Are you then the Prophet Elijah returned to us?”
“I am not he.”
“Then, Rabbi, who are you? We have been instructed to come and see and carry back our report to the Temple rulers. What then shall we say of you, who you are?”
“Say that I am:
“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness,
“Prepare ye the way of the Lord,
“Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
“Every valley shall be exalted,
“And every mountain and hill shall be made low: