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

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

2 “ Repent, 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 who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready 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 N ow John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. 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 people from Jerusalem, all of Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him.

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

6 T hey were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

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

7 B ut when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned 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 T herefore produce fruit worthy of repentance!

Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,

9 D on’t think to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from 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 “ Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut 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 for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.

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 H is winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor. He will gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.”

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

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

14 B ut John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?”

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

15 B ut Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed 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 J esus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on 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 B ehold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

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