Matthew 3

Now in those days, John the Baptist comes, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens is near.”

For this is the one spoken of through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “A voice of one calling out in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” \*

Now this John had his clothing from the hair of a camel and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.

Then were going out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the {region} around the Jordan,

and being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. \*

Now, having seen many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “Offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Therefore, produce fruit worthy of repentance.

And you should not think to say in yourselves, ‘We have Abraham {as} father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. \*

But already the ax is set against the root of the trees. So, every tree not producing good fruit is chopped down and thrown into a fire.

I indeed baptize you with water for repentance. But the one coming after me is more powerful than I, of whom I am not worthy to carry away his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire,

whose winnowing fork {is} in his hand, and he will thoroughly clear off his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the storehouse. But he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” \*

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

But John was hindering him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?”

But answering, Jesus said to him, “Permit {it} now, for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permits him. \*

Now, having been baptized, Jesus immediately came up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove, resting upon him,

and behold, a voice from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” \*