EMTV - Matthew - 3

3:1  Now in those days John the Baptist arrived preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

3:2  and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"

3:3  For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS: 'PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD; MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.' "

3:4  Now John himself had a garment made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

3:5  Then Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan were going out to him

3:6  and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

3:7  But seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

3:8  Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance,

3:9  and do not think to say among yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham out of these stones.

3:10  But even now, the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.

3:11  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit,

3:12  whose winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His threshing floor, and He will gather His wheat into the barn; but the chaff He will burn up with unquenchable fire."

3:13  Then Jesus arrived from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him.

3:14  But John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I have need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"

3:15  But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted Him.

3:16  And having been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him.

3:17  And behold, a voice came out of the heavens, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."