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

And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, saying,

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

Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3 T his 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).

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.

4 T his 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.

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.

5 T hen Jerusalem and all Judea and all the country round about the Jordan went out to him;

Then went out unto him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about the Jordan;

6 A nd they were baptized in the Jordan by him, confessing their sins.

and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 B ut 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?

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?

8 B ring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance;

Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance:

9 A nd 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!

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.

10 A nd 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.

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.

11 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.

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:

12 H is 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.

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.

13 T hen Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized by him.

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

14 B ut 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?

But John would have hindered him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

15 B ut 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.

But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffereth him.

16 A nd 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.

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;

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

and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.