1 A nd in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, saying,

Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,

2 R epent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

“ Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

3 F or 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 referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, “ The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘ Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight!’”

4 N ow 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 himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

5 T hen went out unto him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about the Jordan;

Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan;

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

and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.

7 B ut 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 he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 B ring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance:

Therefore bear fruit in keeping 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 suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘ We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.

10 A nd 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.

The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear 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:

“As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

12 w hose 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 clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” The Baptism of Jesus

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

Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him.

14 B ut 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 have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”

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

But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him.

16 A nd 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 came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him,

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

and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “ This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”