1 I n those days John the Baptist came preaching in the desert in the country of Judea.

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

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

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

3 T he 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!’”

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 J ohn wore clothes made of hair from camels. He had a leather belt around him. 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 the people of Jerusalem and of all the country of Judea and those from near the Jordan River went to him.

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

6 T hose who told of their sins were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

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

7 H e 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?

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 D o something to show me that your hearts are changed.

Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance;

9 D o 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.

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 “ 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.

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 F or 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.

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 e 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

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

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

14 J ohn tried to stop Him. He said, “I need to be baptized by You. Do You come 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 J esus said to him, “Let it be done now. We should do what is right.” John agreed and baptized Jesus.

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 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.

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

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