Matthew 3
1 And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judæa, saying,
Now in those days, John the Baptist arrived, preaching in the desert of Judea,
2 Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
and saying: “Repent. For the kingdom of heaven has drawn near.”
3 For this is he that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.
For this is the one who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, saying: “A voice crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight his paths.”
4 Now 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 the same John had a garment made from the hair of camels, and a leather belt around his waist. And his food was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out unto him Jerusalem, and all Judæa, and all the region round about the Jordan;
Then Jerusalem, and all Judea, and the entire region around the Jordan went out to him.
6 and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
And they were baptized by him in the Jordan, acknowledging their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Then, seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees arriving for his baptism, he said to them: “Progeny of vipers, who warned you to flee from the approaching 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 to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
And do not choose to say within yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God has the power to raise up sons to Abraham from these stones.
10 And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
For even now the axe has been placed at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that does not produce good fruit shall be cut down and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and [in] fire:
Indeed, I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who will come after me is more powerful than me. I am not worthy to carry his shoes. He will baptize you with the fire of the Holy Spirit.
12 whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor; and he will gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand. And he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. And he will gather his wheat into the barn. But the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
Then Jesus came from Galilee, to John at the Jordan, in order to be baptized by him.
14 But John would have hindered him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
But John refused him, saying, “I ought to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”
15 But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [it] now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffereth him.
And responding, Jesus said to him: “Permit this for now. For in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all justice.” Then he allowed him.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him;
And Jesus, having been baptized, ascended from the water immediately, and behold, the heavens were opened to him. And he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him.
17 and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
And behold, there was a voice from heaven, saying: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
