1 N ow in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,

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

3 F or 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 a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

5 T hen Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan;

6 a nd 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 for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 T herefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance;

9 a nd 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 T he 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 “ 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 H is 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 Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him.

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