³ A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way^(A) for the Lord^[a];
make straight^(B) in the desert
    a highway for our God.^[b](C)

⁴ Every valley shall be raised up,^(A)
    every mountain and hill^(B) made low;
the rough ground shall become level,^(C)
    the rugged places a plain.

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way”^[a](A)—

³ “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.’”^[a](A)