1 I n those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judæa,

In those days there appeared John the Baptist, preaching in the Wilderness (Desert) of Judea

2 a nd saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

And saying, Repent ( think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3 F or this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

This is he who was mentioned by the prophet Isaiah when he said, The voice of one crying in the wilderness (shouting in the desert), Prepare the road for the Lord, make His highways straight (level, direct).

4 A nd the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

This same John’s garments were made of camel’s hair, and he wore a leather girdle about his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

5 T hen went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judæa, and all the region round about Jordan,

Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the country round about the Jordan went out to him;

6 a nd were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

And they were baptized in the Jordan by him, confessing their sins.

7 B ut when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee and escape from the wrath and indignation that is coming?

8 B ring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance;

9 a nd 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 presume to say to yourselves, We have Abraham for our forefather; for I tell you, God is able to raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones!

10 A nd now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

And already the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 I indeed baptize you with 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 with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of repentance '> changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

12 w hose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

His winnowing fan (shovel, fork) is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out and clean His threshing floor and gather and store His wheat in His barn, but the chaff He will burn up with fire that cannot be put out.

13 T hen cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized by him.

14 B ut John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

But John protested strenuously, having in mind to prevent Him, saying, It is I who have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?

15 A nd Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

But Jesus replied to him, Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness '> perform completely whatever is right]. Then he permitted Him.

16 A nd Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

And when Jesus was baptized, He went up at once out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him.

17 a nd lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

And behold, a voice from heaven said, This is My Son, My Beloved, in Whom I delight!