John will be great in the Lord's sight. He must not drink any wine or strong drink. From his very birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit,

The child grew and became strong; he was full of wisdom, and God's blessings were upon him.

Jesus grew both in body and in wisdom, gaining favor with God and people.

The woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson. The child grew and the LORD blessed him.

And the LORD's power began to strengthen him while he was between Zorah and Eshtaol in the Camp of Dan.

As Samuel grew up, the LORD was with him and made come true everything that Samuel said.

So all the people of Israel, from one end of the country to the other, knew that Samuel was indeed a prophet of the LORD.

At that time John the Baptist came to the desert of Judea and started preaching.

While John's disciples were leaving, Jesus spoke about him to the crowds: "When you went out to John in the desert, what did you expect to see? A blade of grass bending in the wind?

Someone is shouting in the desert, 'Get the road ready for the Lord; make a straight path for him to travel!' "

So John appeared in the desert, baptizing and preaching. "Turn away from your sins and be baptized," he told the people, "and God will forgive your sins."

I did not know who he would be, but I came baptizing with water in order to make him known to the people of Israel."