Matthew 3
1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea saying,
And in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
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 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.'"
4 Now John wore clothing of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
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.
5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan River went out to him.
Then people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him,
6 They were baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.
and they were baptized by him in the Jordan river, 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 coming for his baptism he said to them, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bear fruit worthy of repentance.
Therefore bring forth fruit worthy of 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 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.
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.
"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.
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 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.
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.”
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."
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by 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 would have hindered him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and you come 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.
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.
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 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.
17 Behold, a voice came out of the heavens saying, “This is my beloved Son. I am very pleased with him.”
And look, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
