Matthew 3
1 And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judæa, saying,
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
“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.
This is the one who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, who said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”
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 John wore a garment of camel's hair 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 was going out to him, and so were all Judea and all the region around the Jordan.
6 and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
They were being baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing 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?
But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8 Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance:
Produce fruit consistent with 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 think that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
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.
Even now the axe is laid at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown 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:
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with 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 fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly clean out his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up 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 the Jordan to John, 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 tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by yoʋ, and do yoʋ 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.
But Jesus answered him, “Permit it for now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John permitted 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;
After being baptized, Jesus immediately went up from the water. 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, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
