Matthew 3
1 And in those dayes, Iohn the Baptist came and preached in the wildernes of Iudea,
About that time John the Baptist first appeared, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea:
2 And said, Repent: for the kingdome of heauen is at hand.
‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
3 For this is he of whome it is spoken by the Prophet Esaias, saying, The voyce of him that crieth in the wildernes, Prepare ye the way of the Lord: make his pathes straight.
John was the one who was spoken of in the prophet Isaiah, where he says – “The voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness: ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’”
4 And this Iohn had his garment of camels heare, and a girdle of a skinne about his loynes: his meate was also locusts and wilde hony.
John’s clothes were made of camels’ hair, with a leather strap round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Ierusalem and all Iudea, and all the region rounde about Iordan.
At that time Jerusalem, and all Judea, as well as the whole district of the Jordan, went out to him
6 And they were baptized of him in Iordan, confessing their sinnes.
and were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
7 Now when he sawe many of the Pharises, and of the Sadduces come to his baptisme, he said vnto them, O generations of vipers, who hath forewarned you to flee from the anger to come?
But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to receive his baptism, he said to them, ‘You children of snakes! Who has prompted you to seek refuge from the coming judgment?
8 Bring foorth therefore fruite worthy amendment of life.
Let your life, then, prove your repentance;
9 And thinke not to say with your selues, We haue Abraham to our father: for I say vnto you, that God is able euen of these stones to raise vp children vnto Abraham.
and do not think that you can say among yourselves “Abraham is our ancestor,” for I tell you that out of these stones God is able to raise descendants for Abraham!
10 And now also is the axe put to the roote of the trees: therfore euery tree which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewen downe, and cast into ye fire.
Already the axe is lying at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that fails to bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 In deede I baptize you with water to amendment of life, but he that commeth after me, is mightier then I, whose shoes I am not worthie to beare: hee will baptize you with the holy Ghost, and with fire.
I, indeed, baptize you with water to teach repentance; but he who is coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not fit even to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
12 Which hath his fanne in his hand, and wil make cleane his floore, and gather his wheate into his garner, but will burne vp the chaffe with vnquenchable fire.
His winnowing-fan is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor, and store his grain in the barn, but the chaff he will burn with a fire that cannot be put out.’
13 Then came Iesus from Galile to Iordan vnto Iohn, to be baptized of him.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan, to John, to be baptized by him.
14 But Iohn earnestly put him backe, saying, I haue neede to be baptized of thee, and commest thou to me?
But John tried to prevent him. ‘I need to be baptized by you,’ he said, ‘so why have you come to me?’
15 Then Iesus answering, saide to him, Let be nowe: for thus it becommeth vs to fulfill all righteousnes. So he suffered him.
‘This is the way it should be for now,’ Jesus answered, ‘because we should do everything that God requires.’ So John agreed.
16 And Iesus when hee was baptized, came straight out of the water. And lo, the heaues were opened vnto him, and Iohn saw the Spirit of God descending like a doue, and lighting vpon him.
After the baptism of Jesus, and just as he came up from the water, the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and resting on him,
17 And loe, a voyce came from heauen, saying, This is my beloued Sonne, in whome I am well pleased.
and from the heavens there came a voice which said, ‘This is my dearly loved son, who brings me great joy.’
