"Except a man be born again, I truly say to thee, The holy kingdom of his God His eyes shall never see." Then Nicodemus said, surprised, "How can a man, when old Become a little babe again, Such wonders to behold?" And Jesus answered, "Verily, The birth of which I speak Is by the Spirit's gracious power, Which every one must seek. "That which is born a little babe Is but a fleshly frame, But inward birth to all imparts The Spirit's living flame. "And, as the way the wind doth blow Is not known by the sound, So shalt thou feel, but not discern, The inward change profound." Then Nicodemus asked again, "How can these things be so?" Christ answered, "Dost thou rule thy race And yet these things not know? "I verily declare to you The truths that are divine, And ye receive not in your heart These precious words of mine. "If I have told you earthly things And you do not believe, How shall you of these heavenly things, My truthful words receive? "And no man hath ascended up To heaven's throne, above, But the eternal Son of man, Who hath come down in love. "And as a serpent Moses raised, Upon on upright pole, That those who felt a poisonous bite Might look and be made whole, "So must the Son of man be raised-- In hate, and wrath and strife-- That whoso shall believe on Him May have eternal life. "For God so loved this sinful world He gave His only Son, That those who should believe on Him Might find their heaven begun. "For God sent not His Son below The wicked to condemn: But that, through Him, salvation might In mercy reach to them. "He that believes is saved from death, But he that doubts must die; Because he has rejected, thus, The Son of God, most high. "And this is what condemns their lives, That light is shining clear, And men love darkness lest their deeds Of evil should appear." John the Baptist. AFTER these things did Jesus go Forth into Judah's land, Attended by his followers, A faithful holy band. John in his holy zeal baptized The people all around, In Aenon, near to Salim, Where water did abound. And John's disciples told him all-- How Jesus, too, baptized, And crowds of people went to Him; But John was not surprised. He answered, "Man can nothing take, Except to him 'tis given, And to baptize with water Was my command from Heaven. "And ye, yourselves, can witness true I said, I am not He-- The Christ, the long expected one-- He cometh after me. "Full happy is the bridegroom, but His friend, which standeth near, Rejoiceth in his happiness, So I am filled with cheer. "He will go on, in power and might, His glory must increase; While I, His humble forerunner, Must dwindle and decrease.