Matthew 3
1 Now in those days, John the Baptist arrived, preaching in the desert of Judea,
Some time later John the Baptist appeared on the scene, proclaiming in the Judean desert,
2 and saying: “Repent. For the kingdom of heaven has drawn near.”
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has arrived!”
3 For this is the one who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, saying: “A voice crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight his paths.”
He was the one Isaiah spoke about when he said, “A voice is heard crying out in the desert, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord. Make the paths straight for him.’”
4 Now the same John had a garment made from the hair of camels, and a leather belt around his waist. And his food was locusts and wild honey.
John had clothes made of camel hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then Jerusalem, and all Judea, and the entire region around the Jordan went out to him.
People came to him from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and the entire Jordan region,
6 And they were baptized by him in the Jordan, acknowledging their sins.
and were baptized in the Jordan River, publicly admitting their sins.
7 Then, seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees arriving for his baptism, he said to them: “Progeny of vipers, who warned you to flee from the approaching wrath?
But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he said to them, “You vipers' brood! Who warned you to run away from the coming judgment?
8 Therefore, produce fruit worthy of repentance.
Show by what you do that you have truly repented,
9 And do not choose to say within yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God has the power to raise up sons to Abraham from these stones.
and don't presume to say proudly to yourselves, ‘Abraham is our father.’ I tell you that God could make children of Abraham from these stones.
10 For even now the axe has been placed at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that does not produce good fruit shall be cut down and cast into the fire.
In fact the ax is ready to chop down the trees. Every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.
11 Indeed, I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who will come after me is more powerful than me. I am not worthy to carry his shoes. He will baptize you with the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Yes, I baptize you in water to show repentance, but after me is coming one who is greater than I am. I'm not worthy even to remove his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
12 His winnowing fan is in his hand. And he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. And he will gather his wheat into the barn. But the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
He has his winnowing tool ready in his hand. He will clean up the threshing floor and gather the wheat into the storehouse, but he will burn the chaff with fire that can't be put out.”
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee, to John at the Jordan, in order to be baptized by him.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.
14 But John refused him, saying, “I ought to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”
But John tried to change his mind. He told Jesus, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me to baptize you?”
15 And responding, Jesus said to him: “Permit this for now. For in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all justice.” Then he allowed him.
“Please do so, because it's good for us to do what God says is right,” Jesus told him. So John agreed to do it.
16 And Jesus, having been baptized, ascended from the water immediately, and behold, the heavens were opened to him. And he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him.
Immediately after he was baptized, Jesus came out of the water. The heavens were opened, and he saw God's Spirit like a dove descending, landing on him.
17 And behold, there was a voice from heaven, saying: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
A voice from heaven said, “This is my son whom I love, who pleases me.”
