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

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the desert in the country of Judea.

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

He said, “Be sorry for your sins and turn from them! The holy nation of heaven is near.”

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.

The early preacher Isaiah spoke of this man. He said, “Listen! His voice calls out in the desert! ‘Make the way ready for the Lord. Make the road straight for Him!’”

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.

John wore clothes made of hair from camels. He had a leather belt around him. His food was locusts and wild honey.

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

Then the people of Jerusalem and of all the country of Judea and those from near the Jordan River went to him.

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

Those who told of their sins were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

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?

He saw many proud religious law-keepers and other people of the religious group who believe no one will be raised from the dead. They were coming to him to be baptized. He said to them, “You family of snakes! Who told you how to keep from God’s anger that is coming?

8 P roduce therefore fruit worthy of repentance.

Do something to show me that your hearts are changed.

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.

Do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can make children for Abraham out of these stones.

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.

“Even now the ax is on the root of the trees. Every tree that does not give good fruit is cut down and thrown 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;

For sure, I baptize with water those who are sorry for their sins and turn from them. The One Who comes after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is greater than I. I am not good enough to take off His shoes.

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.

He comes ready to clean the grain. He will gather the grain in and clean it all. The clean grain He will put into a building. He will burn that which is no good with a fire that cannot be put out.” The Baptism of Jesus

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

Jesus came from Galilee. He went to John at the Jordan River to be baptized by him.

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

John tried to stop Him. He said, “I need to be baptized by You. Do You come 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.

Jesus said to him, “Let it be done now. We should do what is right.” John agreed and baptized Jesus.

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:

When Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens opened. He saw the Spirit of God coming down and resting on Jesus like a dove.

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

A voice was heard from heaven. It said, “This is My much-loved Son. I am very happy with Him.”