Matthew 3
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
Now in those days John the Baptizer began preaching in the wilderness of Judea
2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has come near!”
3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”
For this is he who was referred to by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “A voice crying-out, ‘Prepare in the wilderness the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.’”
4 John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
Now John actually used clothes made from camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist; while his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.
Then Jerusalem, all Judea and all the region of the Jordan went out to him,
6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them: “Brood of vipers! Who tipped you off to flee from the coming wrath?
8 Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.
Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance,
9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
and don't even think to say within yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as father,’ for I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
10 The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
Indeed, already the ax is being laid to the root of the trees. So every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
“I baptize you with water unto repentance, but the One coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with Holy Spirit.
12 His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
His winnowing shovel is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
13 At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
But John tried to dissuade Him saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and You are coming to me?”
15 “Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.
But in answer Jesus said to him, “Permit it now, because thus it is appropriate to us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him.
And having been baptized Jesus came up directly from the water, when wow, the heavens were opened to Him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and alighting upon Him.
17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
And wow, a Voice from the heavens saying, “This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I am always well pleased!”
