3
1 In
those days, John
the Baptizer came,
preaching in the
wilderness of
Judea, saying,
2 “Repent,
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 crying in the
wilderness,
make the way
of the Lord
ready!
Make his paths
straight!”
4 Now
John himself wore
clothing made of
camel’s hair
with a leather
belt around his
waist. 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.
6 They
were baptized by
him in the
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?
8 Therefore
produce fruit worthy
of repentance!
9 Don’t
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 Even
now the ax lies
at the root
of the trees.
Therefore every
tree that doesn’t
produce good fruit
is cut down,
and cast into
the fire.
11 “I
indeed baptize you
in water for
repentance, but he
who comes after
me is mightier
than I, whose
sandals I am
not worthy
to carry. He
will baptize you
in the Holy
Spirit.
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.”
13 Then
Jesus came 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?”
15 But
Jesus, answering, said
to him,
“Allow it now,
for this is
the fitting way
for us to
fulfill all
righteousness.”
Then he allowed
him.
16 Jesus,
when he
was baptized, went
up directly from
the water: and
behold, the
heavens were opened
to him. He
saw the Spirit
of God descending
as a dove,
and coming on
him.
17 Behold,
a voice out
of the heavens
said, “This is
my beloved Son,
with whom I
am well pleased.”