< Matthew 3 >
1 In those days appeared John the Immerser, who proclaimed in the wilderness of Judea, saying,
2 Reform, for the Reign of Heaven approaches.
3 For this is he, of whom the Prophet Isaiah speaks in these words, "The voice of one proclaiming in the wilderness, Prepare a way for the Lord, make for him a straight passage."
4 Now John wore raiment of camel's hair with a letter girdle about his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the country along the Jordan, resorted to him,
6 and were immersed by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But he seeing many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him to receive immersion, said to them, Offspring of vipers, who has prompted you to flee from the impending vengeance?
8 Produce, then, the proper fruit of reformation;
9 and presume not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father, for I assure you, that of these stones God can raise children to Abraham.
10 And even now the ax lies at the root of the trees; every tree, therefore, which produces not good fruit, is cut down, and turned into fuel.
11 I, indeed, immerse you in water, into reformation; but he who comes after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit, and in fire.
12 His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his grain; he will gather his wheat into the granary, and consume the chaff in unquenchable fire.
13 Then came Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, to be immersed by John.
14 But John excused himself, saying, It is I who need to be immersed by you; and you come to me!
15 Jesus answering, said to him, Permit this at present; for thus ought we to ratify every institution. Then John acquiesced.
16 Jesus being immersed, no sooner arose out of the water, than heaven was opened to him; and the Spirit of God appeared, descending like a dove, and lighting upon him;
17 while a voice from heaven proclaimed, This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I delight.
