Matthew 3

1 And in those days cometh John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, saying,2 Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.3 For this is he that was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make his paths straight.

4 Now John himself had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey.5 Then went out unto him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about the Jordan;6 and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?8 Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance:9 and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.10 And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.11 I indeed baptize you in water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:12 whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing-floor; and he will gather his wheat into the garner, but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.

13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.14 But John would have hindered him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?15 But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffereth him.16 And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him;17 and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Matthew 3

The Ministry of John the Baptist

1 In those days John the Baptist came into the wildernesst of Judea proclaiming,2 “Repent,t for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

3 For he is the one about whom Isaiah the prophet had spoken:t
“The voicetof one shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord, makeshis paths straight.’”s
4 Now John wore clothing made from camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his diet consisted of locusts and wild honey.s5 Then people from Jerusalem,ts as well as all Judea and all the region around the Jordan, were going out to him,

6 and he was baptizing themt in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins.
7 But when he saw many Phariseess and Sadduceess coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?8 Therefore produce fruits that proves yourt repentance,9 and don’t think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that God can raise up children for Abraham from these stones!

10 Even now the ax is laid ats the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 “I baptize you with water, for repentance, but the one coming after me is more powerful than I am – I am not worthyts to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.s

12 His winnowing forks is in his hand, and he will clean out his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the storehouse,t but the chaff he will burn up with inextinguishable fire.”s

The Baptism of Jesus

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John to be baptized by him in the Jordan River.t14 But Johns tried to preventt him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”15 So Jesus repliedt to him, “Let it happen now,t for it is right for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then Johnt yieldedt to him.16 Aftert Jesus was baptized, just as he was coming up out of the water, thet heavenst openeds and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a doves and coming on him.

17 Andt a voice from heaven said,t “This is my one dear Son;ts in himt I take great delight.”ts