## they said to him ##

"the priests and Levites said to John" (see [John 1:19](./19.md))

## us...we ##

the priests and Levites, not John (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])

## He said ##

"John said"

## I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness  ##

"I am like someone speaking loudly where no one can hear me" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

## Make the way of the Lord straight  ##

"Prepare yourselves for the Lord's arrival like people prepare the road for an important person to use"