LO - Matthew - 3

3:1  In those days appeared John the Immerser, who proclaimed in the wilderness of Judea, saying,

3:2  Reform, for the Reign of Heaven approaches.

3:3  For this is he, of whom the Prophet Isaiah speaks in these words, "The voice of one proclaiming in the wilderness, Prepare a way for the Lord, make for him a straight passage."

3:4  Now John wore raiment of camel's hair with a letter girdle about his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

3:5  Then Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the country along the Jordan, resorted to him,

3:6  and were immersed by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

3:7  But he seeing many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him to receive immersion, said to them, Offspring of vipers, who has prompted you to flee from the impending vengeance?

3:8  Produce, then, the proper fruit of reformation;

3:9  and presume not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father, for I assure you, that of these stones God can raise children to Abraham.

3:10  And even now the ax lies at the root of the trees; every tree, therefore, which produces not good fruit, is cut down, and turned into fuel.

3:11  I, indeed, immerse you in water, into reformation; but he who comes after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will immerse you in the Holy Spirit, and in fire.

3:12  His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his grain; he will gather his wheat into the granary, and consume the chaff in unquenchable fire.

3:13  Then came Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, to be immersed by John.

3:14  But John excused himself, saying, It is I who need to be immersed by you; and you come to me!

3:15  Jesus answering, said to him, Permit this at present; for thus ought we to ratify every institution. Then John acquiesced.

3:16  Jesus being immersed, no sooner arose out of the water, than heaven was opened to him; and the Spirit of God appeared, descending like a dove, and lighting upon him;

3:17  while a voice from heaven proclaimed, This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I delight.