Matthew 3
1 And in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
In those days came John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea;
2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
"Repent," said he, "for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
3 For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, "The voice of one who calls out in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way of the Lord. Make his roads straight.'"
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 Now John himself wore clothing made of camel's hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
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 people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him,
Then Jerusalem began to go out to him, and all Judea, and the whole neighborhood of the Jordan,
6 and they were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins.
and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism he said to them, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
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 Therefore bring forth fruit worthy of repentance,
Then bring forth fruit worthy of repentance.
9 and do not think to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
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 "Even now the axe lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that does not bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.
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 baptize you in water for repentance, but the one who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and with fire.
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 fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire."
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 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
At that very time Jesus was on his way from Galilee to the Jordan, to John, to be baptized by him.
14 But John would have hindered him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?"
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, answering, said to him, "Allow it to happen now, for this is the proper way for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him.
But Jesus answered, "Permit it now, for so it is fitting for us to fulfill every religious duty."
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water; and look, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him.
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 And look, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
while a voice from heaven said, "This is my son, the beloved, In whom I delight."
