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

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

2 a nd saying, Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

3 F or 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.

For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the L ord; Make His paths straight.’”

4 A nd 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.

Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

5 T hen Jerusalem and all Judaea and all the region round about Jordan went out to him

Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him

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

and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 ¶ 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?

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 B ring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance

Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,

9 a nd 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.

and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

10 A nd 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.

And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which 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 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,

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

12 w hose 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.

His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” John Baptizes Jesus

13 ¶ Then Jesus came from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be baptized of him.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

14 B ut John resisted him much, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”

15 A nd 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.

But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.

16 A nd 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;

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

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

And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”