Matthew 3
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
Now in those days John the Baptizer began preaching in the wilderness of Judea
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has come near!”
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
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.’”
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
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.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
Then Jerusalem, all Judea and all the region of the Jordan went out to him,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
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?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance,
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
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.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
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.
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:
“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.
12 Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
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.”
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
But John tried to dissuade Him saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and You are coming to me?”
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [ it to be so] now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
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.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
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.
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
And wow, a Voice from the heavens saying, “This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I am always well pleased!”
