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

¶ In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea

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.

and saying, 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 by the prophet Isaiah, who said, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye 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.

And the same John 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 Jerusalem and all Judaea and all the region round about Jordan went out to him

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

and were baptized of him in the 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 come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who taught you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 B ring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance;

Bring forth therefore fruits 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 as our father, for I say unto you that God is able to raise up children unto Abraham of these stones.

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 now the axe is also laid unto the root of the trees; therefore, every tree which does not bring 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 comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and 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 purge his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the storehouse, but he will burn up the chaff with fire that shall never be quenched.

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

¶ Then Jesus came from Galilee to 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 resisted him much, 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.

And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now, for thus it is expedient for us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered 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, after he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and, behold, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon him;

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

and, behold, a voice from the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.