1 I n those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

In those days there appeared John the Baptist, preaching in the Wilderness (Desert) of Judea

2 a nd saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

And saying, Repent ( think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3 F or 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.’”

This is he who was mentioned by the prophet Isaiah when he said, The voice of one crying in the wilderness (shouting in the desert), Prepare the road for the Lord, make His highways straight (level, direct).

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

This same John’s garments were made of camel’s hair, and he wore a leather girdle about his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

5 T hen Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him

Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the country round about the Jordan went out to him;

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

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

7 B ut 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?

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 and escape from the wrath and indignation that is coming?

8 T herefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,

Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance;

9 a nd 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.

And do not presume to say to yourselves, We have Abraham for our forefather; for I tell you, God is able to raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones!

10 A nd 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.

And already the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11 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.

I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of repentance '> changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

12 H is 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

His winnowing fan (shovel, fork) is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out and clean His threshing floor and gather and store His wheat in His barn, but the chaff He will burn up with fire that cannot be put out.

13 T hen Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

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

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

But John protested strenuously, having in mind to prevent Him, saying, It is I who have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?

15 B ut 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.

But Jesus replied to him, Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness '> perform completely whatever is right]. Then he permitted Him.

16 W hen 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.

And when Jesus was baptized, He went up at once out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him.

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

And behold, a voice from heaven said, This is My Son, My Beloved, in Whom I delight!