Matthew 3
1 Now in those days John the Baptizer began preaching in the wilderness of Judea
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,
2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has come near!”
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has drawn near.”
3 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.’”
This is the one who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, who said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”
4 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.
Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea and all the region of the Jordan went out to him,
Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and so were all Judea and all the region around the Jordan.
6 and were being baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
They were being baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 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?
But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8 Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance,
Produce fruit consistent with repentance.
9 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.
And do not think that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you that God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.
10 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.
Even now the axe is laid at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 “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.
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
12 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.”
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly clean out his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.”
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
14 But John tried to dissuade Him saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and You are coming to me?”
But John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by yoʋ, and do yoʋ come to me?”
15 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.
But Jesus answered him, “Permit it for now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John permitted him.
16 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.
After being baptized, Jesus immediately went up from the water. And behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
17 And wow, a Voice from the heavens saying, “This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I am always well pleased!”
And behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
