< Matthew 3 >
1 In those days came John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea;
2 "Repent," said he, "for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
3 This Johnit was of whom it was said through Isaiah, the prophet, The voice of one who cries aloud in the desert, "Prepare a way for the Lord, Make the paths straight for him."
4 This Johnwore a garment of camel’s hair, and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then Jerusalem began to go out to him, and all Judea, and the whole neighborhood of the Jordan,
6 and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when Johnsaw that many of the Pharisees and Sadducees were coming for baptism, he said. "O brood of vipers! Who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Then bring forth fruit worthy of repentance.
9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’-I tell you that out of these very stones God is able to raise up descendants for Abraham.
10 And already the axe is lying at the roots of the trees. Any tree, therefore, that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed am baptizing you in water, unto repentance; but One is coming after me, mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire.
12 His winnowing-fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse the threshing-floor. He will store his wheat in the granary, but will burn up the chaff in unquenchable fire."
13 At that very time Jesus was on his way from Galilee to the Jordan, to John, to be baptized by him.
14 But he tried to prevent him. "It is I," he said, "who need to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?"
15 But Jesus answered, "Permit it now, for so it is fitting for us to fulfill every religious duty."
16 Then he consented. And after Jesus was baptized, as soon as he rose out of the water, lo! the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon him,
17 while a voice from heaven said, "This is my son, the beloved, In whom I delight."
