Matthew 3
1 And in those days cometh John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea.
About this time John the Baptist made his appearance, preaching in the Desert of Judaea.
2 And saying: Do penance: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
"Repent," he said, "for the Kingdom of the Heavens is now close at hand."
3 For this is he that was spoken of by Isaias the prophet, saying: A voice of one crying in the desert, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
He it is who was spoken of through the Prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying aloud, 'In the desert prepare ye a road for the Lord: make His highway straight.'"
4 And the same John had his garment of camels’ hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins: and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
This man John wore a garment of camel's hair, and a loincloth of leather; and he lived upon locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan:
Then large numbers of people went out to him--people from Jerusalem and from all Judaea, and from the whole of the Jordan valley--
6 And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
and were baptized by him in the Jordan, making full confession of their sins.
7 And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them: Ye brood of vipers, who hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come?
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he exclaimed, "O vipers' brood, who has warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8 Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of penance.
Therefore let your lives prove your change of heart;
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father. For I tell you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
and do not imagine that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our forefather,' for I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones.
10 For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doth not yield good fruit, shall be cut down, and cast into the fire.
And already the axe is lying at the root of the trees, so that every tree which does not produce good fruit will quickly be hewn down and thrown into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you in the water unto penance, but he that shall come after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you in the Holy Ghost and fire.
I indeed am baptizing you in water on a profession of repentance; but He who is coming after me is mightier than I: His sandals I am not worthy to carry for a moment; He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire.
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor and gather his wheat into the barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.
His winnowing-shovel is in His hand, and He will make a thorough clearance of His threshing-floor, gathering His wheat into the storehouse, but burning up the chaff in unquenchable fire."
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him.
Just at that time Jesus, coming from Galilee to the Jordan, presents Himself to John to be baptized by him.
14 But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me?
John protested. "It is I," he said, "who have need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15 And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfill all justice. Then he suffered him.
"Let it be so on this occasion," Jesus replied; "for so we ought to fulfil every religious duty." Then he consented;
16 And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of 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.
and Jesus was baptized, and immediately went up from the water. At that moment the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him,
17 And behold a voice from heaven, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
while a voice came from Heaven, saying, "This is My Son, the dearly loved, in whom is My delight."
