In those days John the Baptist came,
preaching in the Desert of Judea
2
and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of
heaven is near."
3
This is he who was spoken of through
the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one
calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way
for the Lord, make straight paths for
him.' "
4
John's clothes were made of camel's
hair, and he had a leather belt around
his waist. His food was locusts and wild
honey.
5
People went out to him from Jerusalem
and all Judea and the whole region of
the Jordan.
6
Confessing their sins, they were
baptized by him in the Jordan River.
7
But when he saw many of the
Pharisees and Sadducees coming to
where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned
you to flee from the coming wrath?
8
Produce fruit in keeping with
repentance.
9
And do not think you can say to
yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our
father.' I tell you that out of these stones
God can raise up children for Abraham.
10The ax is already at 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 after me will come one
who is more powerful than I, whose
sandals I am not fit to carry. He will
baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with
fire.
12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and
he will clear his threshing floor,
gathering his wheat into the barn and
burning up the chaff with unquenchable
fire."
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the
Jordan to be baptized by John.
14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I
need to be baptized by you, and do you
come to me?"
15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is
proper for us to do this to fulfill all
righteousness." Then John consented.
16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he
went up out of the water. At that
moment heaven was opened, and he
saw the Spirit of God descending like a
dove and lighting on him.
17And a voice from heaven said, "This is
my Son, whom I love; with him I am well
pleased."
