Matthew 3
1 And in those days John the immerser comes, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying,
In those days came John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea;
2 Repent ye, for the kingdom of the heavens has approached.
"Repent," said he, "for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
3 For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of a man crying in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.
This Johnit was of whom it was said through Isaiah, the prophet, The voice of one who cries aloud in the desert, "Prepare a way for the Lord, Make the paths straight for him."
4 Now John himself had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leather belt about his waist. And his food was locusts and wild honey.
This Johnwore a garment of camel’s hair, and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region of the Jordan went out to him,
Then Jerusalem began to go out to him, and all Judea, and the whole neighborhood of the Jordan,
6 and they were immersed by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his immersion, he said to them, Ye offspring of vipers, who showed you to flee from the coming wrath?
But when Johnsaw that many of the Pharisees and Sadducees were coming for baptism, he said. "O brood of vipers! Who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance.
Then bring forth fruit worthy of repentance.
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have a father, Abraham. For I say to you, that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’-I tell you that out of these very stones God is able to raise up descendants for Abraham.
10 And even now the axe is laid at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore not producing good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.
And already the axe is lying at the roots of the trees. Any tree, therefore, that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed immerse you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit.
I indeed am baptizing you in water, unto repentance; but One is coming after me, mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire.
12 Whose winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. And he will gather his wheat into the storehouse, but he will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.
His winnowing-fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse the threshing-floor. He will store his wheat in the granary, but will burn up the chaff in unquenchable fire."
13 Then Jesus comes from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be immersed by him.
At that very time Jesus was on his way from Galilee to the Jordan, to John, to be baptized by him.
14 But John was preventing him, saying, I have need to be immersed by thee, and thou come to me?
But he tried to prevent him. "It is I," he said, "who need to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?"
15 But having answered, Jesus said to him, Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he allows him.
But Jesus answered, "Permit it now, for so it is fitting for us to fulfill every religious duty."
16 And when Jesus was immersed, he went up straightaway out of the water. And lo, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and coming upon him.
Then he consented. And after Jesus was baptized, as soon as he rose out of the water, lo! the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon him,
17 And lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
while a voice from heaven said, "This is my son, the beloved, In whom I delight."
