1 N ow in those days comes John the baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2 a nd saying, Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn nigh.

3 F or this is he who has been spoken of through Esaias the prophet, saying, Voice of him that crieth in the wilderness: prepare ye the way of Lord, make straight his paths.

4 A nd John himself had his garment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins, and his nourishment was locusts and wild honey.

5 T hen went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the country round the Jordan,

6 a nd were baptised by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 B ut seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, Offspring of vipers, who has forewarned you to flee from the coming wrath?

8 P roduce therefore fruit worthy of repentance.

9 A nd do not think to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for father; for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.

10 A nd already the axe is applied to the root of the trees; every tree therefore not producing good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.

11 I indeed baptise you with water to repentance, but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not fit to bear; he shall baptise you with Holy Spirit and fire;

12 w hose winnowing fan in his hand, and he shall thoroughly purge his threshing-floor, and shall gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

13 T hen comes Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptised of him;

14 b ut John urgently forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptised of thee; and comest thou to me?

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

16 A nd Jesus, having been baptised, went up straightway from the water, and lo, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him:

17 a nd behold, a voice out of the heavens saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I have found my delight.