Matthew 3
1 Now in those days comes John the baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
2 and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn nigh.
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
3 For this is he who has been spoken of through Esaias the prophet, saying, Voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: prepare ye the way of [the] Lord, make straight his paths.
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.’”
4 And John himself had his garment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and his nourishment was locusts and wild honey.
John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country round the Jordan,
People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan.
6 and were baptised by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
7 But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, Offspring of vipers, who has forewarned you to flee from the coming wrath?
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?
8 Produce therefore fruit worthy of repentance.
Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.
9 And do not think to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for [our] father; for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
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.
10 And already the axe is applied to the root of the trees; every tree therefore not producing good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.
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.
11 I indeed baptise you with water to repentance, but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not fit to bear; he shall baptise you with [the] Holy Spirit and fire;
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.
12 whose winnowing fan [is] in his hand, and he shall thoroughly purge his threshing-floor, and shall gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
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.”
13 Then comes Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptised of him;
At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
14 but John urgently forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptised of thee; and comest thou to me?
But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
15 But Jesus answering said to him, Suffer [it] now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffers him.
“Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.
16 And Jesus, having been baptised, went up straightway from the water, and lo, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him:
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.
17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I have found my delight.
And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
