Matthäus 3 | King James Version

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

2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for 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 now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

11 I indeed baptize you with 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 with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

King James Bible (1769). Public Domain. Please note the following exceptions for use and publication in the United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press

New International Reader’s Version

John the Baptist prepares the way

1 In those days John the Baptist came and preached in the Desert of Judea.

2 He said, ‘Turn away from your sins! The kingdom of heaven has come near.’

3 John is the one Isaiah the prophet had spoken about. He had said, ‘A messenger is calling out in the desert, “Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for him.” ’

4 John’s clothes were made out of camel’s hair. 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. They also came from the whole area around the River Jordan.

6 When they confessed their sins, John baptised them in the Jordan.

7 John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptising. He said to them, ‘You are like a nest of poisonous snakes! Who warned you to escape the coming of God’s anger?

8 Live in a way that shows you have turned away from your sins.

9 Don’t think you can say to yourselves, “Abraham is our father.” I tell you, God can raise up children for Abraham even from these stones.

10 The axe is ready to cut the roots of the trees. All the trees that don’t produce good fruit will be cut down. They will be thrown into the fire.

11 ‘I baptise you with water, calling you to turn away from your sins. But after me, someone is coming who is more powerful than I am. I’m not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

12 His pitchfork is in his hand to clear the straw from his threshing-floor. He will gather his wheat into the storeroom. But he will burn the husks with fire that can’t be put out.’

Jesus is baptised

13 Jesus came from Galilee to the River Jordan. He wanted to be baptised by John.

14 But John tried to stop him. So he told Jesus, ‘I need to be baptised by you. So why do you come to me?’

15 Jesus replied, ‘Let it be this way for now. It is right for us to do this. It carries out God’s holy plan.’ Then John agreed.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptised, he came up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened. Jesus saw the Spirit of God coming down on him like a dove.

17 A voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, and I love him. I am very pleased with him.’

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