Matthew 3
1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea saying,
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
And saying, Repent you: 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 calling out in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'”
For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare you the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 Now John wore clothing of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leather girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan River went out to him.
Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6 They were baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.
And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him for baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath that is coming?
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said to them, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bear fruit worthy of repentance.
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9 Do not think of saying among yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham even out of these stones.
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say to you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
10 Already the ax has been placed against the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.
And now also the ax is laid to the root of the trees: therefore every tree which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11 I baptize you with water for repentance. But he who comes after me is mightier than I, and I am not worthy even to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
I indeed baptize you with water to repentance. but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
12 His winnowing fork is in his hand to thoroughly clear off his threshing floor and to gather his wheat into the storehouse. But he will burn up the chaff with fire that can never be put out.”
Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.
Then comes Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John, to be baptized of him.
14 But John kept trying to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of you, and come you to me?
15 Jesus responded and said to him, “Permit it now, for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John permitted him.
And Jesus answering said to him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16 After he was baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and resting upon him.
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, see, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting on him:
17 Behold, a voice came out of the heavens saying, “This is my beloved Son. I am very pleased with him.”
And see a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
