Mat3:1 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming,
Mat3:2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
Mat3:3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"
Mat3:4 Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.
Mat3:5 Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan,
Mat3:6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
Mat3:7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Mat3:8 Bear fruit worthy of repentance.
Mat3:9 Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.
Mat3:10 Even now 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.
Mat3:11 "I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Mat3:12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
Mat3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.
Mat3:14 John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
Mat3:15 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented.
Mat3:16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
Mat3:17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."