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 saying, Repent, 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 through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!”
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 John himself had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food 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 country about the Jordan;
Then Jerusalem, all Judea and all the region of the Jordan went out to him,
6 and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he said to them, Brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
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 fruit worthy of repentance,
Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance,
9 and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; for I say to you, that God is able out of these stones to raise up children to 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 already is the axe lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that beareth not good fruit is to be cut 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 in water, for repentance; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to bear; he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in 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 His winnowing-shovel is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but the chaff he will burn up 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 the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14 But John opposed him, saying, I have need to be baptized by thee, and dost thou come 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 to him, Suffer it now; for thus it becometh us to fulfill 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, as soon as he was baptized, went up from the water; and, lo! the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God, descending like a dove, coming 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 the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with 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!”
