< Matthew 3 >
1 And in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
And in those days came John the Baptizer. And he proclaimed in the desert of Judaea,
2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
and said: Repent; the kingdom of heaven hath approached.
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.'"
For this is he of whom it was said, by Isaiah the prophet: The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make smooth his paths.
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.
And as to this John, his raiment was of camel's hair, and a girdle of skin was upon his loins; 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 went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country about the Jordan.
6 and they were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins.
And they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, while they confessed 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 he saw many of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees, who came to be baptized, he said to them: Generation of vipers, who hath taught you to flee from the wrath that cometh?
8 Therefore bring forth fruit worthy of repentance,
Bring forth the fruits therefore, that accord with 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 think, and say within yourselves, that Abraham is our father: for I say to you, that God is able of these tones to raise up children to 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 lo, the ax is put to the root of trees. Every tree, therefore, which beareth not good fruit, is felled, and falleth 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 baptize you with water unto repentance; but he that cometh after me is more powerful than I; whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with 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 shovel is in his hand; and he will make clean his threshing-floor. The wheat he will gather into his storehouse; and the chaff he will burn with fire not extinguished.
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
Then came Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto 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 John refused him; and said, I need to be baptized by thee, and hast thou come 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.
And Jesus answered, and said to him: Allow it now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he permitted him.
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.
And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water. And heaven was opened to him; and he saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove, and it came upon him.
17 And look, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
And lo, a voice from heaven, which said: This is my beloved Son, in whom I have delight.